Supply power transition control

ABSTRACT

A variable power supply is controlled to supply power at approximately a first supply level for an electronic device. The variable power supply is controlled to control a transition of the power from approximately the first supply level toward a second supply level prior to controlling the variable power supply to supply power at approximately the second supply level for the electronic device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of supply powercontrol.

2. Description of Related Art

Subscriber line (or loop) interface circuitry (SLIC) may be found in ornear a central office exchange of a telecommunications network.

One SLIC provides a communications interface between a digital switchingnetwork for a central office exchange and an analog subscriber line. Theanalog subscriber line connects to subscriber equipment, such as asubscriber station or telephonic instrument for example, at a locationremote from the central office exchange. The analog subscriber line andsubscriber equipment form a subscriber loop.

The SLIC detects and transforms voiceband communications transmittedfrom the subscriber equipment in the form of low voltage analog signalson the subscriber loop into corresponding digital data for transmissionto the digital switching network. For bi-directional communication, theSLIC also transforms digital data received from the digital switchingnetwork into corresponding low voltage analog signals for transmissionon the subscriber loop to the subscriber equipment.

The SLIC typically uses different power supply levels depending on itsoperation state. The SLIC may use, for example, one supply level whenthe subscriber equipment is deactivated or on-hook, another supply levelwhen the subscriber equipment is activated or off-hook, and yet anothersupply level to signal or ring the subscriber equipment for callprogress.

The SLIC may be supplied with power at a fixed or constant supply levelsufficient to meet the maximum amount of power to be used by the SLIC.The SLIC, however, would then unnecessarily waste power when the SLIC isin an operation state that uses less power than that supplied to theSLIC. The SLIC would also have to be designed to dissipate a maximumpossible amount of wasted power to account for times when the SLIC usesminimum amounts of power.

One SLIC controls a direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converterto supply power to the SLIC at different voltage levels. The SLIC maythen help reduce or minimize any excess power by helping to control theDC-DC converter to change the voltage supplied to the SLIC as the SLICchanges its power usage. A change in supply voltage from one voltagelevel to another, however, may cause a current overshoot or surge in theSLIC. For relatively fast and/or larger voltage level changes, anattendant current surge may place a high level of stress on and/ordamage one or more circuit components of the SLIC. The SLIC may bedesigned with components that can better withstand such current surgesand/or may be designed with improved current overshoot protectioncircuitry. Such design considerations, however, may add to the cost,size, and/or complexity of the SLIC.

SUMMARY

One disclosed method comprises controlling a variable power supply tosupply power at approximately a first supply level for an electronicdevice, identifying a second supply level to be supplied for theelectronic device, and, in response to identifying the second supplylevel, controlling the variable power supply to control a transition ofthe power from approximately the first supply level toward the secondsupply level prior to controlling the variable power supply to supplypower at approximately the second supply level for the electronicdevice.

One disclosed electronic device comprises a supply level controllercoupled to control a variable power supply to supply power at a supplylevel for the electronic device and a transition-to-target controllercoupled to control the supply level controller to control the variablepower supply to supply power at approximately a first supply level forthe electronic device and to control the variable power supply tocontrol a transition of the power from approximately the first supplylevel toward a second supply level prior to controlling the variablepower supply to supply power at approximately the second supply levelfor the electronic device.

One disclosed apparatus comprises means for controlling a variable powersupply to supply power at approximately a first supply level for anelectronic device and means for controlling the variable power supply tocontrol a transition of the power from approximately the first supplylevel toward a second supply level prior to controlling the variablepower supply to supply power at approximately the second supply levelfor the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of an electronicdevice comprising a power supply controller having supply powertransition control to control a variable power supply to supply power tothe electronic device;

FIG. 2 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using supply powertransition control;

FIG. 3 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of subscriberline interface circuitry (SLIC) comprising a power supply controllerhaving supply power transition control in an example environment;

FIG. 4 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using supply powertransition control;

FIG. 5 illustrates, for one embodiment, an example graph of analogtransition control of a supply voltage by the SLIC of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates, for one embodiment, an example graph of digitaltransition control of a supply voltage by the SLIC of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control atransition of supply power from approximately a current supply level toapproximately a target supply level digitally;

FIG. 8 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using supply powertransition control;

FIG. 9 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using supply powertransition control;

FIG. 10 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora power supply controller having supply power transition control tocontrol a variable power supply;

FIG. 11 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora transition-to-target controller for the power supply controller havingsupply power transition control of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates, for one embodiment, the control of a transition ofsupply power from approximately a current supply level to approximatelya target supply level with an example analog controlled transitioncontrol signal;

FIG. 13 illustrates, for one embodiment, the control of a transition ofsupply power from approximately a current supply level to approximatelya target supply level with one or more example digital controlledtransition control signals;

FIG. 14 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora supply level controller for the power supply controller having supplypower transition control of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 illustrates, for another embodiment, a functional block diagramfor a supply level controller for the power supply controller havingsupply power transition control of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 illustrates, for another embodiment, a functional block diagramfor a transition-to-target controller and a supply level controller forthe power supply controller having supply power transition control ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 17 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of subscriberline interface circuitry (SLIC) comprising a direct-current todirect-current (DC-DC) converter controller having supply powertransition control to control a DC-DC converter to supply power to theSLIC;

FIG. 18 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of anelectronic device comprising a power supply controller having one ormore dynamic controller parameters to control a variable power supply tosupply power to the electronic device;

FIG. 19 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 20 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of subscriberline interface circuitry (SLIC) comprising a power supply controllerhaving one or more dynamic controller parameters in an exampleenvironment;

FIG. 21 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 22 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 23 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 24 illustrates, for one embodiment, example graphs showing exampledynamic power supply controller parameters for different exampleoperation states of the SLIC of FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 26 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 27 illustrates, for one embodiment, a flow diagram to control thesupply of power from a variable power supply using one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters;

FIG. 28 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora power supply controller having one or more dynamic power supplycontroller parameters to control a variable power supply;

FIG. 29 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora supply level controller for the power supply controller having one ormore dynamic power supply controller parameters of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 illustrates, for another embodiment, a functional block diagramfor a supply level controller for the power supply controller having oneor more dynamic power supply controller parameters of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora controller parameter(s) controller for the power supply controllerhaving one or more dynamic power supply controller parameters of FIG.28;

FIG. 32 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of subscriberline interface circuitry (SLIC) comprising a direct-current todirect-current (DC-DC) converter controller having one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters to control a DC-DC converter tosupply power to the SLIC;

FIG. 33 illustrates, for one embodiment, a block diagram of anelectronic device comprising a power supply controller having supplypower transition control and one or more dynamic power supply controllerparameters to control a variable power supply to supply power to theelectronic device; and

FIG. 34 illustrates, for one embodiment, a functional block diagram fora power supply controller having supply power transition control and oneor more dynamic power supply controller parameters to control a variablepower supply.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth an embodiment orembodiments for supply power transition control and for power supplycontrol using dynamic controller parameter(s).

Supply Power Transition Control

FIG. 1 illustrates, for one embodiment, an electronic device 100comprising a power supply controller 102 having supply power transitioncontrol. Power supply controller 102 controls a variable power supply104 dynamically to supply power to electronic device 100 at differentsupply levels. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment maycontrol variable power supply 104 at a given time to supply power toelectronic device 100 at a reduced or minimized supply level that maydepend, for example, on the amount of power to be used by electronicdevice 100 at that time. Electronic device 100 may therefore be designedto less stringent power dissipation requirements.

In controlling variable power supply 104 to change the power supplied toelectronic device 100 from approximately a current supply level toapproximately a target supply level, power supply controller 102 maycontrol the transition from approximately the current supply level toapproximately the target supply level in any suitable manner. Powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 to change supply levels at a relatively slower rate to helpavoid, reduce, or minimize a power surge that could otherwise place ahigh level of stress on and/or damage one or more circuit components ofelectronic device 100. Electronic device 100 for one embodiment may thenbe designed with reduced or minimized concern for power overshootprotection circuitry, helping to reduce the cost, size, and/orcomplexity of electronic device 100. Electronic device 100 for oneembodiment may also be designed with reduced or minimized concern forthe ability of one or more components to withstand increased powersurges, helping to reduce the cost of electronic device 100.

Power supply controller 102 may control variable power supply 104 tosupply power to electronic device 100 using supply power transitioncontrol in any suitable manner. Power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may control variable power supply 104 in accordance with aflow diagram 200 of FIG. 2.

For block 202 of FIG. 2, power supply controller 102 controls variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 atapproximately an initial supply level. Power supply controller 102 maycontrol variable power supply 104 to supply power to electronic device100 at approximately any suitable initial supply level.

If electronic device 100 is to continue using the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 104 for block 204, powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 for block 206 to continue supplying power at approximatelythe current supply level. For one embodiment where variable power supply104 may continue supplying power at approximately the current supplylevel without requiring continuous or repeated control by power supplycontroller 102, power supply controller 102 may not perform operationsfor block 206.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 for block 204, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 208 a target supply level of powerto be supplied by variable power supply 104.

If the target supply level does not satisfy one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions for block 210, power supply controller 102 forblock 212 may control variable power supply 104 to change the supplypower from approximately the current supply level directly toapproximately the target supply level.

If the target supply level does satisfy one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions for block 210, power supply controller 102 forblock 214 may control variable power supply 104 to control thetransition of the supply power from approximately the current supplylevel toward the target supply level prior to controlling variable powersupply 104 to supply power at approximately the target supply level.Power supply controller 102 may control variable power supply 104 tocontrol the transition of the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level toward the target supply level and to supply powerat approximately the target supply level in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 102 may identify whether the target supply levelsatisfies one or more of any suitable one or more predeterminedconditions. One or more predetermined conditions for one embodiment maybe programmable.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is for one of any predetermined different operationstates for a current operation state of electronic device 100. In thismanner, power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control thetransition of supply power for predetermined transitions betweendifferent operation states of electronic device 100.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds. In this manner, power supply controller 102 forone embodiment may control, for example, larger supply powertransitions.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more supply level ranges. In this manner,power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control thetransition of supply power for predetermined transitions betweendifferent supply level ranges.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment for block 210 mayidentify whether the target supply level is for one of any predetermineddifferent operation states for a current operation state of electronicdevice 100, whether the difference between the target supply level andthe current supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more thresholds, and/or whetherthe target supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more supply level ranges. Inthis manner, power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control,for example, the transition of supply power between supply levels forpredetermined transitions between different operation states ofelectronic device 100 and a larger supply power transition for the sameoperation state of electronic device 100.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 again for block 204, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 208 a new target supply level ofpower to be supplied by variable power supply 104 and controls variablepower supply 104 to change the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level to approximately the new target supply level inaccordance with block 210 and block 212 or 214.

Power supply controller 102 may perform operations for blocks 202-214 inany suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performance ofany suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may, for example, identify that thecurrent supply level is to change for block 204 by identifying that apredetermined condition has been satisfied for block 210. As anotherexample, power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identifythat a predetermined condition has been satisfied for block 210 prior toidentifying the target supply level for block 208.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 210 and 212 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 214 for each transition to a new target supply level.

Electronic device 100 may comprise any suitable circuitry to perform anysuitable one or more functions that may use different supply powerlevels. Electronic device 100 for one embodiment may comprise subscriberline interface circuitry (SLIC), for example. Electronic device 100 forone embodiment may comprise, for example, a ringer, such as a bulkringer for example. Electronic device 100 for one embodiment maycomprise a satellite tuner, for example.

SLIC Having Supply Power Transition Control

FIG. 3 illustrates, for one embodiment, subscriber line interfacecircuitry (SLIC) 300 in an example environment. As illustrated in FIG.3, SLIC 300 comprises a power supply controller 302 having supply powertransition control to control a variable power supply 304 to supplypower to SLIC 300. SLIC 300, power supply controller 302, and variablepower supply 304 generally correspond to electronic device 100, powersupply controller 102, and variable power supply 104 of FIG. 1.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may provide a communications interfacebetween a switching network 310 and a subscriber loop 320 havingsubscriber equipment 330. Switching network 310 for one embodiment maybe a digital switching network for a larger telecommunications network,such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). SLIC 300 may beused for any suitable application such as, for example, wireless localloop (WLL); digital subscriber line (DSL), coder/decoder (codec), and/orwireless voice-over-broadband systems; cable telephony; private branchexchange (PBX), Internet protocol PBX (IP-PBX), and/or key telephonesystems; Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Ethernet, and/orUniversal Serial Bus (USB) terminal adapters; and/or Integrated Voiceand Data (IVD) systems.

Subscriber loop 320 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, isdefined by a first line 321, a second line 322, and subscriber equipment330. For one embodiment where SLIC 300 provides an analog telephoneinterface, first line 321 is called a tip line and second line 322 iscalled a ring line.

Subscriber equipment 330 is electrically coupled to first line 321 andsecond line 322 and may comprise any suitable number of devicescomprising any suitable circuitry to communicate with SLIC 300 in anysuitable manner. Subscriber equipment 330 for one embodiment maycomprise any suitable customer premises equipment (CPE). SLIC 300 andsubscriber equipment 330 for one embodiment may transmit and/or receiveany suitable analog signals. For one embodiment, subscriber equipment330 may comprise one or more analog telephonic devices. For oneembodiment, subscriber equipment 330 may comprise one or more analogtelephones.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may receive communications in the form ofsignals on subscriber loop 320 from subscriber equipment 330 and forwardthe received signals or transform and transmit the received signals toswitching network 310. SLIC 300 for one embodiment may receivecommunications in the form of signals from switching network 310 andforward the received signals or transform and transmit the receivedsignals on subscriber loop 320 to subscriber equipment 330.

For one embodiment where SLIC 300 provides an analog telephone interfaceto subscriber loop 320 and where switching network 310 is a digitalswitching network, SLIC 300 may receive voiceband communicationstransmitted from subscriber equipment 330 in the form of low voltageanalog signals on subscriber loop 320 and transform them intocorresponding digital data signals for transmission to switching network310. For bi-directional communication, SLIC 300 may transform digitaldata signals received from switching network 310 into corresponding lowvoltage analog signals for transmission on subscriber loop 320 tosubscriber equipment 330.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may also transmit on subscriber loop 320 tosubscriber equipment 330 and/or receive on subscriber loop 320 fromsubscriber equipment 330 any suitable data and/or control signals.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may comprise any suitable circuitry toperform any suitable one or more BORSCHT functions and/or any othersuitable one or more functions. BORSCHT is an acronym for battery feed,overvoltage protection, ring, supervision, coder/decoder (codec),hybrid, and test.

SLIC 300 may perform the battery feed function, for example, to providepower to subscriber equipment 330 on subscriber loop 320. SLIC 300 forone embodiment may receive power from variable power supply 304 toprovide power over subscriber loop 320.

SLIC 300 may perform the overvoltage protection function, for example,to protect any circuitry in or coupled to switching network 310 againstvoltage transients that may occur on subscriber loop 320.

SLIC 300 may perform the ring function, for example, to signalsubscriber equipment 330 for call progress. For one embodiment wheresubscriber equipment 330 comprises a conventional telephone, forexample, SLIC 300 may use the ring function to ring the telephone.

SLIC 300 may perform the supervision function, for example, to detectservice requests. SLIC 300 for one embodiment may perform thesupervision function to detect when subscriber equipment 330 isactivated on subscriber loop 320. For one embodiment where subscriberequipment 330 comprises a conventional telephone, for example, SLIC 300may detect when the telephone is switched off-hook. SLIC 300 for oneembodiment may also perform the supervision function, for example, tosupervise calls in progress and to detect dialing input signals.

SLIC 300 may perform the codec function, for example, to encode datasignals in a manner suitable for transmission by switching network 310and to decode data signals received from switching network 310. SLIC 300for one embodiment may use pulse code modulation (PCM), for example, toencode voiceband data signals, for example.

SLIC 300 may perform the hybrid function, for example, to adapt two-wiresignaling, for example, for subscriber loop 320 into separate transmitand receive signaling, for example, for switching network 310.

SLIC 300 may perform the test function, for example, to test for faultsand/or to indicate faults that may exist in subscriber loop 320 and/orin SLIC 300 itself.

Transition Control Based on Operation States

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 using supplypower transition control based at least in part on an operation state inwhich electronic device 100 is to operate or is operating. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may control variable power supply 104in accordance with a flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4. Blocks 402-414 of FIG.4 generally correspond to blocks 202-214 of FIG. 2, respectively.

For block 402 of FIG. 4, power supply controller 102 controls variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 atapproximately an initial supply level for an initial one of a pluralityof operation states for electronic device 100. Power supply controller102 may control variable power supply 104 to supply power to electronicdevice 100 at any suitable supply level for any suitable initial one ofany suitable operation states. The operation states for electronicdevice 100 may be defined in any suitable manner. One or more operationstates for electronic device 100 for one embodiment may be programmable.

For one embodiment where SLIC 300 is used, SLIC 300 may have at least anon-hook, a ringing, and/or an off-hook operation state. The on-hookoperation state corresponds to the operation of SLIC 300 whilesubscriber equipment 330 is deactivated. The ringing operation statecorresponds to the operation of SLIC 300 to signal subscriber equipment330 for call progress. The off-hook operation state corresponds to theoperation of SLIC 300 while subscriber equipment 330 is activated. Powersupply controller 302 for one embodiment for block 402 may controlvariable power supply 304 to supply power at a suitable supply level forthe on-hook operation state.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may have at least an open, a forward on-hooktransmission, a reverse on-hook transmission, a ringing, a forwardactive, a reverse active, a tip line open, and/or a ring line openoperation state.

The open operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 tri-stating both lines321 and 322 of subscriber loop 320, for example, in the presence offault conditions on subscriber loop 320 and/or to generate open switchintervals (OSIs).

The forward on-hook transmission operation state corresponds to SLIC 300providing a linefeed on subscriber loop 320 with a voltage signal online 321 greater than that on line 322 (e.g., V_(TIP)>V_(RING)) whileaudio signal paths may be activated to provide data transmission duringan on-hook loop condition.

The reverse on-hook transmission operation state corresponds to SLIC 300providing a linefeed on subscriber loop 320 with a voltage signal online 322 greater than that on line 321 (e.g., V_(RING)>V_(TIP)) whileaudio signal paths may be activated to provide data transmission duringan on-hook loop condition.

The ringing operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 driving ringingwaveforms onto subscriber loop 320.

The forward active operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 providing alinefeed on subscriber loop 320 with a voltage signal on line 321greater than that on line 322 (e.g., V_(TIP)>V_(RING)) while audiosignal paths are activated.

The reverse active operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 providing alinefeed on subscriber loop 320 with a voltage signal on line 322greater than that on line 321 (e.g., V_(RING)>V_(TIP)) while audiosignal paths are activated.

The tip line open operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 tri-statingline 321 and providing an active linefeed on line 322 for ground startoperation.

The ring line open operation state corresponds to SLIC 300 tri-statingline 322 and providing an active linefeed on line 321.

Power supply controller 302 for one embodiment for block 402 may controlvariable power supply 304 to supply power at a suitable supply level forthe open operation state.

If electronic device 100 is to continue using the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 104 for block 404, powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 for block 406 to continue supplying power at approximatelythe current supply level. For one embodiment where variable power supply104 may continue supplying power at approximately the current supplylevel without requiring continuous or repeated control by power supplycontroller 102, power supply controller 102 may not perform operationsfor block 406.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 for block 404, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 408 a target supply level of powerto be supplied by variable power supply 104.

For block 410, power supply controller 102 identifies whether the targetsupply level is for one of any predetermined different operation statesfor the current operation state of electronic device 100. Power supplycontroller 102 may identify whether the target supply level is for oneof any suitable one or more predetermined different operation states ofelectronic device 100.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is for any operation state different from thecurrent operation state or alternatively is not for the currentoperation state.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is for one of any first predetermined differentoperation states for the current operation state or alternatively is notfor the current operation state and is not for one of any secondpredetermined different operation states exclusive of any firstpredetermined different operation states for the current operationstate. The identity of any first and/or second predetermined differentoperation states for a given operation state for one embodiment may bepredetermined. The identity of any first and/or second predetermineddifferent operation states for a given operation state for oneembodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is for one of any first predetermined differentoperation states for the current operation state to help identifywhether the current supply level is to increase in magnitude by anamount that could place a high level of stress on and/or damage one ormore circuit components of electronic device 100 if power supplycontroller 102 changed the current supply level directly to the targetsupply level.

If the target supply level is not for one of any predetermined differentoperation states for block 410, power supply controller 102 for block412 may control variable power supply 104 to change the supply powerfrom approximately the current supply level directly to approximatelythe target supply level.

If the target supply level is for one of any predetermined differentoperation states for block 410, power supply controller 102 for block414 may control variable power supply 104 to control the transition ofthe supply power from approximately the current supply level toward thetarget supply level prior to controlling variable power supply 104 tosupply power at approximately the target supply level.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 again for block 404, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 408 a new target supply level ofpower to be supplied by variable power supply 104 and controls variablepower supply 104 to change the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level to approximately the new target supply level inaccordance with block 410 and block 412 or 414.

Power supply controller 102 may perform operations for blocks 402-414 inany suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performance ofany suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may, for example, identify that thecurrent supply level is to change for block 404 by identifying thatelectronic device 100 has changed or is to change operation states forblock 410. As another example, power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may identify that electronic device 100 has changed or is tochange operation states for block 410 prior to identifying the targetsupply level for block 408.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 410 and 412 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 414 for each transition to a new target supply level.

Analog Transition Control

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may comprise any suitablecircuitry to provide for analog control in controlling variable powersupply 104 to control the transition of supply power from approximatelya current supply level toward a target supply level. Power supplycontroller 102 may control variable power supply 104 in any suitablemanner to help control the transition of supply power in accordance withany suitable signal shape, such as a generally linear ramp signal of anysuitable slope, a generally parabolic shaped signal, or a generallyS-shaped signal for example.

As one example for one embodiment where SLIC 300 of FIG. 3 is used,power supply controller 302 may provide for analog control to ramp thesupply power at a controlled rate from approximately a current supplylevel toward a target supply level for block 414 of FIG. 4 incontrolling variable power supply 304 in accordance with flow diagram400 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 illustrates an example graph 500 of how powersupply controller 302 may control variable power supply 304 in thismanner.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, power supply controller 302 controls variablepower supply 304 to supply a supply voltage V_(S) at approximately acurrent supply voltage level V₁ while SLIC 300 is in an on-hookoperation state.

SLIC 300 then changes or is to change to a ringing operation state.Because the current supply voltage level V₁ is to change for block 404of FIG. 4 in connection with the change to the ringing operation state,power supply controller 302 identifies for block 408 a target supplyvoltage level V₂ and identifies for block 410 that the ringing operationstate is a predetermined different operation state for which thetransition of the supply voltage V_(S) to the target supply voltagelevel V₂ is to be controlled in changing from the on-hook operationstate. Power supply controller 302 therefore controls variable powersupply 304 for block 414 to ramp the supply voltage V_(S) at acontrolled rate from approximately the current supply voltage level V₁toward the target supply voltage level V₂ prior to controlling variablepower supply 304 to supply the supply voltage V_(S) at approximately thetarget supply voltage level V₂.

SLIC 300 then changes or is to change to an off-hook operation state.Because the current supply voltage level V₂ is to change for block 404of FIG. 4 in connection with the change to the off-hook operation state,power supply controller 302 identifies for block 408 a target supplyvoltage level V₃ and identifies for block 410 that the off-hookoperation state is a predetermined different operation state for whichthe transition of the supply voltage V_(S) to the target supply voltagelevel V₃ is to be controlled in changing from the ringing operationstate. Power supply controller 302 therefore controls variable powersupply 304 for block 414 to ramp the supply voltage V_(S) at acontrolled rate from approximately the current supply voltage level V₂toward the target supply voltage level V₃ prior to controlling variablepower supply 304 to supply the supply voltage V_(S) at approximately thetarget supply voltage level V₃.

SLIC 300 is then to be supplied a supply voltage V_(S) at a supplyvoltage level V₄ while in the off-hook operation state. Because thecurrent supply voltage level V₃ is to change for block 404 of FIG. 4,power supply controller 302 identifies for block 408 the target supplyvoltage level V₄ and identifies for block 410 that SLIC 300 has notchanged or is not to change operation states. Power supply controller302 therefore controls variable power supply 304 for block 412 to changethe supply voltage V_(S) from approximately the current supply voltagelevel V₃ directly to approximately the target supply voltage level V₄without controlling the transition from approximately the current supplyvoltage level V₃ to approximately the target supply voltage level V₄.

Digital Transition Control

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may comprise any suitablecircuitry to provide for digital control in controlling variable powersupply 104 to control the transition of supply power from approximatelya current supply level toward a target supply level. Power supplycontroller 102 may control variable power supply 104 in any suitablemanner to help control the transition of supply power to approximate anysuitable signal shape, such as a generally linear ramp signal of anysuitable slope, a generally parabolic shaped signal, or a generallyS-shaped signal for example. Power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may control variable power supply 104 to change the supplypower to approximately any suitable one or more intermediate supplylevels between the current supply level and the target supply levelprior to changing the supply power to the target supply level.

As one example for one embodiment where SLIC 300 of FIG. 3 is used,power supply controller 302 may provide for digital control toapproximate a ramp of the supply power at a controlled rate fromapproximately a current supply level toward a target supply level forblock 414 of FIG. 4 in controlling variable power supply 304 inaccordance with flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates anexample graph 600 of how power supply controller 302 may controlvariable power supply 304 in this manner.

Graph 600 of FIG. 6 generally corresponds to graph 500 of FIG. 5 onlypower supply controller 302 provides for digital transition control forblock 414 of FIG. 4.

To control the transition from approximately the supply voltage level V₁to approximately the supply voltage level V₂, as illustrated in FIG. 6,power supply controller 302 controls variable power supply 304 to changethe supply voltage V_(S) from approximately the supply voltage level V₁to approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((1-2)a), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((1-2)b), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((1-2)c), andthen to approximately the supply voltage level V₂.

To control the transition from approximately the supply voltage level V₂to approximately the supply voltage level V₃, as illustrated in FIG. 6,power supply controller 302 controls variable power supply 304 to changethe supply voltage V_(S) from approximately the supply voltage level V₂to approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)a), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)b), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)c), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)d), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)e), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)f), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)g), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)h), thento approximately an intermediate supply voltage level V_((2-3)i), andthen to approximately the supply voltage level V₃.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may provide for digitalcontrol in controlling variable power supply 104 to control a transitionof supply power from approximately a current supply level toward atarget supply level in accordance with a flow diagram 700 of FIG. 7.

For block 702 of FIG. 7, power supply controller 102 identifies a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based on a target supplylevel, a current supply level, a desired transition time, and/or one ormore other factors. Power supply controller 102 may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based on any suitable one ormore factors in any suitable manner. One or more factors to identify asupply level step amount and/or a step delay time for one embodiment maybe programmable.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part onwhether the target supply level is greater than or less than the currentsupply level. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment mayidentify a positive supply level step amount if the target supply levelis greater than the current supply level and may identify a negativesupply level step amount if the target supply level is less than thecurrent supply level.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may use a predeterminedpositive supply level step amount and a predetermined negative supplylevel step amount having the same absolute values. In this manner, powersupply controller 102 may control variable power supply 104 to increaseand decrease the supply power at approximately the same rate when usingthe same step delay time.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may use apredetermined positive supply level step amount and a predeterminednegative supply level step amount having different absolute values. Inthis manner, power supply controller 102 may control variable powersupply 104 to increase and decrease the supply power at generallydifferent rates when using the same or different step delay times.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on thecurrent operation state of electronic device 100 and on the operationstate of electronic device 100 for the target supply level. In thismanner, power supply controller 102 may control variable power supply104 to increase and decrease the supply power at the same or differentrates for different transitions between different operation states.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on acurrent supply level range in which the current supply level resides andon a target supply level range in which the target supply level resides.In this manner, power supply controller 102 may control variable powersupply 104 to increase and decrease the supply power at the same ordifferent rates for different transitions between different supply levelranges.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on thecurrent supply level and the target supply level. In this manner, powersupply controller 102 may control variable power supply 104 to increaseand decrease the supply power at the same or different rates fordifferent transitions between different supply levels.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply level.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a positivedifference if the target supply level is greater than the current supplylevel and identify a positive supply level step amount if the differenceis positive. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identifya negative difference if the target supply level is less than thecurrent supply level and identify a negative supply level step amount ifthe difference is negative.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may divide the differenceby a number of steps to identify a supply level step amount. Powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may use a predetermined numberof steps. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify anumber of steps based at least in part on the difference, a desiredtransition time, and/or a step delay time in any suitable manner anddivide the difference by that number to identify a supply level stepamount. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may divide thedifference by any suitable number and adjust the quotient in anysuitable manner, such as by rounding to a desired resolution forexample, to identify a supply level step amount.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on adesired transition time.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may divide the desiredtransition time by a number of steps to identify a step delay time.Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may use a predeterminednumber of steps. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment mayidentify a number of steps based at least in part on the desiredtransition time, the difference between the target supply level and thecurrent supply level, and/or a supply level step amount in any suitablemanner and divide the desired transition time by that number to identifya step delay time. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment maydivide the desired transition time by any suitable number and adjust thequotient in any suitable manner, such as by rounding to a desiredresolution for example, to identify a step delay time.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount as a percentage of the current supply level. Powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supply levelstep amount as a predetermined percentage of the current supply level.Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a percentageof the current supply level in any suitable manner to identify thesupply level step amount.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on oneor more suitable factors to help produce a transient signal resultingfrom the supply power transition with a desired signal shape, to helpoptimize the speed of the supply power transition, to help optimizepower consumption due to the supply power transition, and/or to helpaccount for noise.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify a supplylevel step amount and/or a step delay time based at least in part on anysuitable weighted combination of any suitable factors.

For block 704, power supply controller 102 adds the supply level stepamount identified for block 702 to the current supply level to identifyan intermediate supply level. If adding a negative supply level stepamount to the current supply level, power supply controller 102 is ineffect subtracting the absolute value of the supply level step amountfrom the current supply level.

For block 706, power supply controller 102 identifies whether theintermediate supply level identified for block 704 is near, equal to, orbeyond the target supply level. To identify whether the intermediatesupply level is near the target supply level, power supply controller102 for one embodiment may identify whether the intermediate supplylevel is within a suitable range of one or more supply levels from thetarget supply level.

If the intermediate supply level identified for block 704 is not near,equal to, or beyond the target supply level, power supply controller 102may control variable power supply 104 for block 708 to change the supplypower to approximately the intermediate supply level for at least a stepdelay time prior to changing the supply power to approximately anotherintermediate supply level or to approximately the target supply level.Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may use for block 708 apredetermined step delay time. Power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may use for block 708 a step delay time identified for block702.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may then repeatoperations for blocks 704, 706, and/or 708 to continue controllingvariable power supply 104 to change the supply power by the identifiedsupply level step amount until power supply controller 102 identifiesfor block 706 an intermediate supply level near, equal to, or beyond thetarget supply level. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment maycontrol variable power supply 104 in this manner to help approximate agenerally linear ramp transition.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may repeat operationsfor blocks 702, 704, 706, and/or 708 to identify a new supply level stepamount and/or a new step delay time for one or more iterations of block702 and continue controlling variable power supply 104 to increase ordecrease the supply power using newly identified supply level stepamount(s) and/or newly identified step delay time(s) until power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 706 an intermediate supply levelnear, equal to, or beyond the target supply level. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may control variable power supply 104in this manner to help control the transition of supply power toapproximate any suitable signal shape.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may repeat operations forblocks 702, 704, 706, and/or 708 to identify a new supply level stepamount for one or more iterations of block 702 and continue controllingvariable power supply 104 to increase or decrease the supply power usingnewly identified supply level step amount(s) and the same step delaytime. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may repeatoperations for blocks 702, 704, 706, and/or 708 to identify a new stepdelay time for one or more iterations of block 702 and continuecontrolling variable power supply 104 to increase or decrease the supplypower using the same supply level step amount and newly identified stepdelay time(s).

For one embodiment where power supply controller 102 identifies a supplylevel step amount as a percentage of the current supply level, powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 to help approximate a supply power transition having arelatively constant percentage change in supply level.

When power supply controller 102 identifies an intermediate supply levelnear, equal to, or beyond the target supply level, power supplycontroller 102 controls variable power supply 104 for block 710 tochange the supply power to approximately the target supply level.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment for block 706 mayidentify whether the intermediate supply level identified for block 704is only near, is only equal to, is only beyond, is only near or equalto, is only near or beyond, or is only equal to or beyond the targetsupply level. Power supply controller 102 may then control variablepower supply 104 to change the supply power to approximately the targetsupply level for block 710 when the intermediate supply level identifiedfor block 704 is near, equal to, beyond, near or equal to, near orbeyond, or equal to or beyond the target supply level, respectively.

Power supply controller 102 may perform operations for blocks 702-710 inany suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performance ofany suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may, for example, identify any and allintermediate supply levels prior to performing operations for blocks 706and 708. Power supply controller 102 may then repeat operations forblocks 706 and 708 for each identified intermediate supply level.

Transition Control Based on Supply Level Difference

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 using supplypower transition control based at least in part on the differencebetween a current supply level and a target supply level. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may control variable power supply 104in accordance with a flow diagram 800 of FIG. 8. Blocks 802-814 of FIG.8 generally correspond to blocks 202-214 of FIG. 2, respectively.

For block 802 of FIG. 8, power supply controller 102 controls variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 atapproximately an initial supply level. Power supply controller 102 maycontrol variable power supply 104 to supply power to electronic device100 at any suitable initial supply level.

If electronic device 100 is to continue using the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 104 for block 804, powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 for block 806 to continue supplying power at approximatelythe current supply level. For one embodiment where variable power supply104 may continue supplying power at approximately the current supplylevel without requiring continuous or repeated control by power supplycontroller 102, power supply controller 102 may not perform operationsfor block 806.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 for block 804, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 808 a target supply level of powerto be supplied by variable power supply 104.

For block 810, power supply controller 102 identifies whether thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds. Power supply controller 102 may identify whetherthe difference between the target supply level and the current supplylevel satisfies one or more of any suitable one or more predeterminedrelationships with any suitable one or more thresholds. One or morepredetermined relationships for one embodiment may be programmable. Oneor more thresholds for one embodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether theabsolute value of the difference between the target supply level and thecurrent supply level is greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable threshold. Power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may identify whether the difference between the target supplylevel and the current supply level is greater than, or alternativelygreater than or equal to, a suitable positive threshold and/or whetherthe difference between the target supply level and the current supplylevel is less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, a suitablenegative threshold. The positive and negative thresholds may have thesame or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether themagnitude of the target supply level is greater than that of the currentsupply level by an amount greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable threshold. In this manner, power supply controller102 for one embodiment may identify whether the current supply level isto increase in magnitude by an amount that could place a high level ofstress on and/or damage one or more circuit components of electronicdevice 100 if power supply controller 102 changed the current supplylevel directly to the target supply level.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply levelis greater than, or alternatively greater than or equal to, a suitablepositive threshold for an increase in magnitude from a positive currentsupply level to a positive target supply level and/or whether thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply levelis less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, a suitablenegative threshold for an increase in magnitude from a negative currentsupply level to a negative target supply level. The positive andnegative thresholds may have the same or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may use one or morepredetermined thresholds for block 810. Power supply controller 102 forone embodiment may identify one or more thresholds for block 810 in anysuitable manner. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment mayidentify one or more thresholds based at least in part on, for example,a current operation state of electronic device 100 and/or the currentsupply level. One or more thresholds for one embodiment may be derivedto help avoid, reduce, or minimize a power surge that could otherwiseplace a high level of stress on and/or damage one or more circuitcomponents of electronic device 100.

If the difference between the target supply level and the current supplylevel does not satisfy one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds for block 810, power supplycontroller 102 for block 812 may control variable power supply 104 tochange the supply power from approximately the current supply leveldirectly to approximately the target supply level.

If the difference between the target supply level and the current supplylevel does satisfy one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds for block 810, power supplycontroller 102 for block 814 may control variable power supply 104 tocontrol the transition of the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level toward the target supply level prior to controllingvariable power supply 104 to supply power at approximately the targetsupply level. Power supply controller 102 may control variable powersupply 104 to control the transition of the supply power fromapproximately the current supply level toward the target supply leveland to supply power at approximately the target supply level in anysuitable manner.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may provide for analogcontrol in controlling variable power supply 104 to control thetransition of the supply power from approximately the current supplylevel toward the target supply level. Power supply controller 102 forone embodiment may provide for digital control in controlling variablepower supply 104 to control the transition of the supply power fromapproximately the current supply level toward the target supply level.Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 104 in accordance with flow diagram 700 of FIG. 7.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 again for block 804, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 808 a new target supply level ofpower to be supplied by variable power supply 104 and controls variablepower supply 104 to change the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level to approximately the new target supply level inaccordance with block 810 and block 812 or 814.

Power supply controller 102 may perform operations for blocks 802-814 inany suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performance ofany suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may, for example, identify that thecurrent supply level is to change for block 804 by identifying a newtarget supply level for block 808.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 810 and 812 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 814 for each transition to a new target supply level.

Transition Control Based on Supply Level Ranges

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 using supplypower transition control based at least in part on a supply level rangefrom which electronic device 100 is to supply power or is being suppliedpower. Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may controlvariable power supply 104 in accordance with a flow diagram 900 of FIG.9. Blocks 902-914 of FIG. 9 generally correspond to blocks 202-214 ofFIG. 2, respectively.

For block 902 of FIG. 9, power supply controller 102 controls variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 atapproximately an initial supply level in an initial one of a pluralityof supply level ranges. Power supply controller 102 may control variablepower supply 104 to supply power to electronic device 100 at anysuitable supply level in any suitable initial one of any suitable supplylevel ranges. The supply level ranges may be defined in any suitablemanner. One or more supply level ranges for one embodiment may beprogrammable.

If electronic device 100 is to continue using the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 104 for block 904, powersupply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variable powersupply 104 for block 906 to continue supplying power at approximatelythe current supply level. For one embodiment where variable power supply104 may continue supplying power at approximately the current supplylevel without requiring continuous or repeated control by power supplycontroller 102, power supply controller 102 may not perform operationsfor block 906.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 for block 904, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 908 a target supply level of powerto be supplied by variable power supply 104.

For block 910, power supply controller 102 identifies whether the targetsupply level satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more supply level ranges. Power supplycontroller 102 may identify whether the target supply level satisfiesone or more of any suitable one or more predetermined relationships withany suitable one or more supply level ranges. One or more predeterminedrelationships for one embodiment may be programmable.

For one embodiment where supply level ranges do not overlap one another,power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is in a supply level range different from thecurrent supply level range or alternatively is not in the current supplylevel range.

For one embodiment where supply level ranges do not overlap one another,power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level is in one of any first predetermined differentsupply level ranges for the current supply level range or alternativelyis not in the current supply level range and is not in one of any secondpredetermined different supply level ranges exclusive of any firstpredetermined different supply level ranges for the current supply levelrange. The identity of any first and/or second predetermined differentsupply level ranges for a given supply level range for one embodimentmay be predetermined. The identity of any first and/or secondpredetermined different supply level ranges for a given supply levelrange for one embodiment may be programmable.

For one embodiment where one or more supply level ranges overlap atleast one other supply level range, power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may identify whether the target supply level is not in thecurrent supply level range. A supply level range may be defined tooverlap another supply level range, for example, to help providehysteresis for transitions from approximately a current supply level inone supply level range to approximately a target supply level in anadjacent supply level range.

For one embodiment where one or more supply level ranges overlap atleast one other supply level range, power supply controller 102 for oneembodiment may identify whether the target supply level is not in thecurrent supply level range and is in one of any first predetermineddifferent supply level ranges for the current supply level range oralternatively is not in the current supply level range and is not in oneof any second predetermined different supply level ranges exclusive ofany first predetermined different supply level ranges for the currentsupply level range. The identity of any first and/or secondpredetermined different supply level ranges for a given supply levelrange for one embodiment may be predetermined. The identity of any firstand/or second predetermined different supply level ranges for a givensupply level range for one embodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may identify whether atarget supply level is in one of any first predetermined differentsupply level ranges for a current supply level range to help identifywhether the current supply level is to increase in magnitude by anamount that could place a high level of stress on and/or damage one ormore circuit components of electronic device 100 if power supplycontroller 102 changed the current supply level directly to the targetsupply level.

If the target supply level does not satisfy one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more supply level ranges forblock 910, power supply controller 102 for block 912 may controlvariable power supply 104 to change the supply power from approximatelythe current supply level directly to approximately the target supplylevel.

If the target supply level does satisfy one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more supply level ranges forblock 910, power supply controller 102 for block 914 may controlvariable power supply 104 to control the transition of the supply powerfrom approximately the current supply level toward the target supplylevel prior to controlling variable power supply 104 to supply power atapproximately the target supply level. Power supply controller 102 maycontrol variable power supply 104 to control the transition of thesupply power from approximately the current supply level toward thetarget supply level and to supply power at approximately the targetsupply level in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may provide for analogcontrol in controlling variable power supply 104 to control thetransition of the supply power from approximately the current supplylevel toward the target supply level. Power supply controller 102 forone embodiment may provide for digital control in controlling variablepower supply 104 to control the transition of the supply power fromapproximately the current supply level toward the target supply level.Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 104 in accordance with flow diagram 700 of FIG. 7.

When electronic device 100 is to be supplied a different supply level ofpower by variable power supply 104 again for block 904, power supplycontroller 102 identifies for block 908 a new target supply level ofpower to be supplied by variable power supply 104 and controls variablepower supply 104 to change the supply power from approximately thecurrent supply level to approximately the new target supply level inaccordance with block 910 and block 912 or 914.

Power supply controller 102 may perform operations for blocks 902-914 inany suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performance ofany suitable operation with any other suitable operation.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 910 and 912 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 914 for each transition to a new target supply level.

Circuitry for Transition Control

Power supply controller 102 may comprise any suitable circuitry tocontrol variable power supply 104 to supply power to electronic device100 in accordance with flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2, flow diagram 400 ofFIG. 4, flow diagram 800 of FIG. 8, and/or flow diagram 900 of FIG. 9.At least a portion of the circuitry for power supply controller 102 maydepend, for example, on the type of variable power supply 104 used tosupply power to electronic device 100. Variable power supply 104 may beof any suitable type, such as a suitable linear power supply or asuitable switched-mode power supply for example.

Power supply controller 102 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.10, may comprise circuitry for a transition-to-target controller 1020and a supply level controller 1040. Supply level controller 1040 iscoupled to control variable power supply 104 to supply power atapproximately a desired supply level to electronic device 100.Transition-to-target controller 1020 is coupled to control supply levelcontroller 1040 to control variable power supply 104 to supply power atapproximately a desired supply level and to control variable powersupply 104 to control a transition of the power from approximately thecurrent supply level toward a target supply level prior to controllingvariable power supply 104 to supply power at approximately a targetsupply level for electronic device 100.

Transition-to-target controller 1020 for one embodiment may generate oneor more controlled transition control signals and/or one or more targetcontrol signals based at least in part on an identified target supplylevel and may be coupled to output such control signals to supply levelcontroller 1040. Supply level controller 1040 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive controlled transition and target control signals fromtransition-to-target controller 1020 and generate supply level controlsignals in response to controlled transition and target control signals.Supply level controller 1040 may be coupled to output supply levelcontrol signals to control variable power supply 104 to supply power toelectronic device 100 at supply levels in accordance with the supplylevel control signals.

Power supply controller 102 may comprise any suitable circuitry fortransition-to-target controller 1020 and any suitable circuitry forsupply level controller 1040. For one embodiment, circuitry for anysuitable portion or all of electronic device 100, transition-to-targetcontroller 1020, and any suitable portion or all of supply levelcontroller 1040 may be on the same integrated circuit.

Transition-to-target controller 1020 for one embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 11, may comprise circuitry for a target supply level identifier1122, a transition condition controller 1124, a switch 1126, and acontrolled transition-to-target signal generator 1128.

Target supply level identifier 1122 identifies a target supply level ofpower to be supplied to electronic device 100 by variable power supply104. Target supply level identifier 1122 may identify a target supplylevel in any suitable manner. Target supply level identifier 1122 forone embodiment may identify a target supply level based at least in parton a current and/or target operation state of electronic device 100.

Target supply level identifier 1122 may be implemented using anysuitable analog and/or digital circuitry to identify a target supplylevel in any suitable manner. Target supply level identifier 1122 maygenerate and output any suitable one or more signals representative ofan identified target supply level. Target supply level identifier 1122for one embodiment may generate and output a suitable analog signalrepresentative of an identified target supply level. Target supply levelidentifier 1122 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moresuitable digital signals representative of an identified target supplylevel.

Transition condition controller 1124 identifies whether a target supplylevel identified by target supply level identifier 1122 satisfies one ormore of one or more predetermined conditions to identify whether powersupply controller 102 is to control variable power supply 104 to changethe supply power from approximately a current supply level directly toapproximately the identified target supply level or is to controlvariable power supply 104 to control the transition of the supply powerfrom approximately the current supply level toward the identified targetsupply level prior to controlling variable power supply 104 to supplypower at approximately the identified target supply level. Transitioncondition controller 1124 may identify whether an identified targetsupply level satisfies one or more of any suitable one or morepredetermined conditions in any suitable manner.

Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment may identifywhether an identified target supply level is for one of anypredetermined different operation states for a current operation stateof electronic device 100. Transition condition controller 1124 for oneembodiment may monitor the operation state of electronic device 100 inany suitable manner to identify whether an identified target supplylevel is for one of any predetermined different operation states for acurrent operation state of electronic device 100. Transition conditioncontroller 1124 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moresignals representative of an identified target supply level, identify anoperation state for which the identified target supply level is to besupplied, and compare that operation state to an operation stateidentified for a just prior identified target supply level. Transitioncondition controller 1124 for another embodiment may be coupled toreceive one or more signals representative of an identified targetsupply level and one or more signals representative of the currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104, identify anoperation state for which the identified target supply level is to besupplied, and compare the identified operation state to an operationstate for the current supply level. Transition condition controller 1124for another embodiment may monitor the operation state of electronicdevice 100 by monitoring one or more signals representative of thecurrent and/or target operation state of electronic device 100.Transition condition controller 1124 may identify whether an identifiedtarget supply level is for one of any suitable predetermined differentoperation states for a current operation state of electronic device 100.

Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment may identifywhether the difference between an identified target supply level and thecurrent supply level satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds. Transition conditioncontroller 1124 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moresignals representative of an identified target supply level, compare theidentified target supply level with a just prior identified targetsupply level to identify the difference between them, and compare theidentified difference with one or more thresholds to identify whetherthe identified difference satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more thresholds. Transitioncondition controller 1124 for another embodiment may be coupled toreceive one or more signals representative of the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 104, compare the identifiedtarget supply level to the current supply level to identify thedifference between them, and compare the identified difference with oneor more thresholds to identify whether the identified differencesatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds. Transition condition controller 1124 mayidentify whether an identified difference satisfies one or more of anysuitable one or more predetermined relationships with any suitable oneor more thresholds.

Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment may identifywhether an identified target supply level satisfies one or more of oneor more predetermined relationships with one or more supply levelranges. Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of an identifiedtarget supply level and compare the identified target supply level toone or two thresholds defining a current supply level range to identifywhether the identified target supply level is in the current supplylevel range. Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment mayidentify a current supply level range based at least in part on a justprior identified target supply level. Transition condition controller1124 for another embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moresignals representative of the current supply level of power supplied byvariable power supply 104 and identify a current supply level rangebased at least in part on the current supply level. Transition conditioncontroller 1124 for one embodiment may also compare the identifiedtarget supply level to one or two thresholds defining one or moredifferent supply level ranges to identify a target supply level range.Transition condition controller 1124 may identify whether an identifiedtarget supply level satisfies one or more of any suitable one or morepredetermined relationships with any suitable one or more supply levelranges.

Transition condition controller 1124 may be implemented using anysuitable analog and/or digital circuitry to identify whether anidentified target supply level satisfies one or more of any suitable oneor more predetermined conditions in any suitable manner. Transitioncondition controller 1124 for one embodiment may generate and output anysuitable one or more control signals representative of whether anidentified target supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions. Transition condition controller 1124 for oneembodiment may generate and output a suitable analog control signalrepresentative of whether an identified target supply level satisfiesone or more of one or more predetermined conditions. Transitioncondition controller 1124 for one embodiment may generate and output oneor more suitable digital control signals representative of whether anidentified target supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions. Transition condition controller 1124 iscoupled to output one or more control signals representative of whetheran identified target supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions to control switch 1126.

Switch 1126 is coupled to receive one or more signals representative ofan identified target supply level and to output the one or more signalsrepresentative of the identified target supply level as one or moretarget control signals to supply level controller 1040 if the identifiedtarget supply level does not satisfy one or more of one or morepredetermined conditions, meaning power supply controller 102 is tocontrol variable power supply 104 to change the supply power fromapproximately a current supply level directly to approximately theidentified target supply level.

Switch 1126 is coupled to receive one or more controlled transitioncontrol signals from controlled transition-to-target signal generator1128 and to output such control signals to supply level controller 1040if an identified target supply level satisfies one or more of one ormore predetermined conditions, meaning power supply controller 102 is tocontrol variable power supply 104 to control the transition of thesupply power from approximately the current supply level toward theidentified target supply level prior to controlling variable powersupply 104 to supply power at approximately the identified target supplylevel. Switch 1126 for one embodiment may be coupled to also receive oneor more target control signals from controlled transition-to-targetsignal generator 1128 and to output such control signals to supply levelcontroller 1040 to control variable power supply 104 to supply power atapproximately the identified target supply level.

Switch 1126 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry to output one or more controlled transition control signalsand/or one or more target control signals in response to one or morecontrol signals representative of whether an identified target supplylevel satisfies one or more of one or more predetermined conditions.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 is to generate andoutput one or more controlled transition control signals to help controla transition of supply power from approximately the current supply leveltoward an identified target supply level. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of an identifiedtarget supply level to generate one or more controlled transitioncontrol signals based at least in part on the identified target supplylevel. Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for oneembodiment may be coupled to receive one or more signals representativeof the current supply level of power supplied by variable power supply104 to generate one or more controlled transition control signals basedat least in part on the current supply level. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 may be implemented using anysuitable analog and/or digital circuitry to generate and output anysuitable one or more controlled transition control signals in anysuitable manner to help control the transition of supply power fromapproximately the current supply level toward an identified targetsupply level in any suitable manner.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay generate and output a suitable analog controlled transition controlsignal to help control the transition of supply power from approximatelythe current supply level toward the identified target supply level inaccordance with any suitable signal shape.

As one example, controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, may generate and outputan analog controlled transition control signal 1212 that ramps in agenerally linearly manner at a controlled rate from an analog signal1210 representative of a just prior identified target supply level or ofthe current supply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104toward an analog signal 1220 representative of a current identifiedtarget supply level to help control variable power supply 104 to controlthe transition 1262 of supply power from approximately a current supplylevel 1260 toward approximately the current identified target supplylevel 1270.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay comprise a current source coupled to charge a capacitor to generatea controlled generally linearly ramped analog voltage signal in responseto, for example, an analog step signal representative of an identifiedtarget supply level. The current source for one embodiment may be aprogrammable variable current source to help control the slope of thegenerally linearly ramped analog voltage signal. The capacitor for oneembodiment may be a programmable variable capacitor to help control theslope of the generally linearly ramped analog voltage signal. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodiment maycomprise an integrator to generate a generally linearly ramped analogvoltage signal in response to, for example, an analog step signalrepresentative of an identified target supply level.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay generate and output suitable digital controlled transition controlsignals to help control the transition of supply power to approximateany suitable signal shape in transitioning from approximately thecurrent supply level toward the identified target supply level.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay generate and output one or more sets of one or more digital controlsignals representative of an intermediate supply level to help controlthe transition of supply power from approximately the current supplylevel toward the identified target supply level. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodiment may delayoutputting a set of one or more digital control signals for a nextintermediate supply level by at least a step delay time following theoutput of a set of one or more digital control signals for a priorsupply level to help control the rate at which the supply powertransitions toward the identified target supply level.

As one example, controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, may generate and output aset of one or more digital control signals 1312 representative of afirst intermediate supply level and a set of one or more digital controlsignals 1314 representative of a second intermediate supply level at acontrolled rate to approximate a generally linear ramp from a set of oneor more digital control signals 1310 representative of a just prioridentified target supply level or of the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 104 toward a set of one or moredigital control signals 1320 representative of a current identifiedtarget supply level to help control variable power supply 104 to controlthe transition 1362 of supply power from approximately a current supplylevel 1360 toward approximately the current identified target supplylevel 1370.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay comprise a memory, such as a register for example, to store anidentified target supply level, a counter to generate and output one ormore digital control signals representative of a supply level, acomparator coupled to the identified target supply level memory and tothe counter to compare the counter supply level to the identified targetsupply level and to continue advancing the counter to advance thecounter supply level by a suitable step amount until the counter supplylevel and the identified target supply level satisfy a suitablepredetermined relationship, and a delay to delay output of the counterto the comparator to help control the rate at which the counter supplylevel advances toward the identified target supply level.

Controlled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodimentmay be coupled to receive one or more signals representative of anidentified target supply level to generate and output one or more targetcontrol signals to help control the supply power at approximately theidentified target supply level after helping to control a transition ofthe supply power toward the identified target supply level. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodiment may beimplemented using any suitable analog and/or digital circuitry togenerate and output any suitable one or more target control signals inany suitable manner to help control the supply of power at approximatelyan identified target supply level in any suitable manner.

Switch 1126 for one embodiment may be controlled to switch fromoutputting one or more control signals from controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 to outputting one or moretarget control signals from target supply level identifier 1122.

For one embodiment, transition condition controller 1124 may be coupledto receive one or more control signals output from switch 1126 andgenerate and output one or more control signals to control switch 1126to output one or more target control signals from target supply levelidentifier 1122 when the one or more control signals output from switch1126 indicate variable power supply 104 is to be controlled to supplypower, for example, near, at, or beyond the identified target supplylevel. Transition condition controller 1124 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of the currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104 and generateand output one or more control signals to control switch 1126 to outputone or more target control signals from target supply level identifier1122 when the current supply level is, for example, near, at, or beyondthe identified target supply level.

For another embodiment, controlled transition-to-target signal generator1128 may generate and output one or more control signals to controlswitch 1126 to output one or more target control signals from targetsupply level identifier 1122 after controlled transition-to-targetsignal generator 1128 generates and outputs one or more controlledtransition control signals to control the supply power at a level nearthe identified target supply level. Controlled transition-to-targetsignal generator 1128 for one embodiment may generate and output one ormore control signals to control switch 1126 to output one or more targetcontrol signals from target supply level identifier 1122 aftercontrolled transition-to-target signal generator 1128 generates andoutputs one or more target control signals. Controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of the currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104 and generateand output one or more control signals to control switch 1126 to outputone or more target control signals from target supply level identifier1122 when the current supply level is, for example, near, at, or beyondthe identified target supply level.

Target supply level identifier 1122, transition condition controller1124, switch 1126, and/or controlled transition-to-target signalgenerator 1128 for one embodiment may be implemented at least in partusing a processor that executes any suitable instructions to perform oneor more functions for target supply level identifier 1122, transitioncondition controller 1124, switch 1126, and/or controlledtransition-to-target signal generator 1128, respectively, in anysuitable manner.

Power supply controller 102 for another embodiment may not comprisetransition condition controller 1124 and/or switch 1126. Power supplycontroller 102 for one embodiment may therefore control variable powersupply 104 to control the transition of the supply power fromapproximately a current supply level toward a target supply level priorto controlling variable power supply 104 to supply power atapproximately the target supply level for each transition to a newtarget supply level.

Supply level controller 1040 may comprise any suitable circuitry thatmay depend, for example, on the type of variable power supply 104 usedto supply power to electronic device 100.

Where variable power supply 104 is a switched-mode power supply, forexample, supply level controller 1040 for one embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 14, may comprise circuitry for a summer 1442, a filter 1444, amodulator 1446, and an optional analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1448.

Summer 1442 is coupled to receive one or more controlled transitioncontrol signals and one or more target control signals fromtransition-to-target controller 1020 and is coupled to receive one ormore signals representative of the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 104. Summer 1442 generates and outputsone or more signals representative of the difference between the currentsupply level and a supply level represented by one or more controlsignals received from transition-to-target controller 1020.

Summer 1442 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry to generate and output any suitable one or more signalsrepresentative of a difference between received supply levels.

Summer 1442 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moresuitable digital difference signals. Summer 1442 for one embodiment mayreceive one or more digital control signals from transition-to-targetcontroller 1020 and one or more digital signals representative of thecurrent supply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104 togenerate and output one or more digital difference signals. Summer 1442for one embodiment may be implemented at least in part using a processorthat executes any suitable instructions to perform one or more functionsfor summer 1442 in any suitable manner. ADC 1448 for one embodiment maybe coupled to receive one or more analog signals representative of thecurrent supply level of power supplied by variable power supply 104 andconvert the analog signal(s) into one or more digital signals for outputto summer 1442.

Summer 1442 for one embodiment may generate and output a suitable analogdifference signal. Summer 1442 for one embodiment may receive one ormore analog control signals from transition-to-target controller 1020and one or more analog signals representative of the current supplylevel of power supplied by variable power supply 104 to generate andoutput one or more analog difference signals. Supply level controller1040 for one embodiment may therefore not comprise ADC 1448.

Filter 1444 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moredifference signals from summer 1442 and filter the received signal(s) tohelp stabilize the closed-loop control system formed by summer 1442,modulator 1446, variable power supply 104, and ADC 1448, if present.

Filter 1444 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry. Filter 1444 for one embodiment may be implemented at least inpart using a processor that executes any suitable instructions toperform one or more functions for filter 1444 in any suitable manner.Although described as being coupled between summer 1442 and modulator1446, filter 1444 for another embodiment may be coupled in any suitablelocation in the closed-loop control system.

Modulator 1446 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or morefiltered difference signals from filter 1444 and modulate such signal(s)to generate and output one or more modulated signals as one or moresupply level control signals to control variable power supply 104 tosupply power at approximately a supply level in accordance with one ormore control signals received by summer 1442 from transition-to-targetcontroller 1020. Modulator 1446 may modulate received signal(s) in anysuitable manner. Modulator 1446 may perform, for example, pulse widthmodulation (PWM), frequency modulation (FM), pulse-frequency modulation(PFM), pulse code modulation (PCM), or sigma-delta modulation (ΣΔM).

Modulator 1446 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/ordigital circuitry. Modulator 1446 for one embodiment may be implementedat least in part using a processor that executes any suitableinstructions to perform one or more functions for modulator 1446 in anysuitable manner.

Where variable power supply 104 is a linear power supply, for example,supply level controller 1040 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.15, may comprise circuitry for summer 1442, filter 1444, an optionaldigital-to-analog converter (DAC) 1546, and optional analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 1448.

DAC 1546 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moredigital filtered difference signals from filter 1444 and convert thedigital signal(s) into one or more analog signals for output as one ormore supply level control signals to control variable power supply 104to supply power at approximately a supply level in accordance with oneor more control signals received by summer 1442 fromtransition-to-target controller 1020. DAC 1546 may be implemented usingany suitable analog and/or digital circuitry.

Supply level controller 1040 for one embodiment may not comprise ADC1448 and DAC 1546. Filter 1444 may therefore output one or more analogfiltered difference signals as one or more supply level control signalsto control variable power supply 104 to supply power at approximately asupply level in accordance with one or more control signals received bysummer 1442 from transition-to-target controller 1020.

Although described as being coupled between summer 1442 and variablepower supply 104, filter 1444 for another embodiment may be coupled inany suitable location in the closed-loop control system defined bysummer 1442, DAC 1546, if present, variable power supply 104, and ADC1448, if present.

Transition-to-target controller 1020 for one embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 16, may comprise circuitry for a target supply level identifier1622, a transition condition controller 1624, and a controllerparameter(s) controller 1626.

Target supply level identifier 1622 identifies a target supply level ofpower to be supplied to electronic device 100 by variable power supply104. Target supply level identifier 1622 for one embodiment may besimilarly implemented as target supply level identifier 1122 of FIG. 11.Target supply level identifier 1622 is coupled to output one or moresignals representative of an identified target supply level as one ormore target control signals to supply level controller 1040.

Transition condition controller 1624 identifies whether a target supplylevel identified by target supply level identifier 1622 satisfies one ormore of one or more predetermined conditions to identify whether powersupply controller 102 is to control variable power supply 104 to changethe supply power from approximately a current supply level directly toapproximately the identified target supply level or is to controlvariable power supply 104 to control the transition of the supply powerfrom approximately the current supply level toward the identified targetsupply level prior to controlling variable power supply 104 to supplypower at approximately the identified target supply level. Transitioncondition controller 1624 for one embodiment may by similarlyimplemented as transition condition controller 1124 of FIG. 11.

Controller parameter(s) controller 1626 is coupled to receive one ormore signals representative of whether an identified target supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined conditions fromtransition condition controller 1624 and generates one or morecontrolled transition control signals in accordance with such receivedsignal(s). Controller parameter(s) controller 1626 is coupled to outputone or more controlled transition control signals to control one or morecontroller parameters for supply level controller 1040 to help controlhow variable power supply 104 changes the supply power fromapproximately a current supply level to approximately an identifiedtarget supply level. Controller parameter(s) controller 1626 may beimplemented using any suitable analog and/or digital circuitry togenerate and output any suitable controlled transition control signalsto control any suitable one or more controller parameters for supplylevel controller 1040 in accordance with one or more signalsrepresentative of whether an identified target supply level satisfiesone or more of one or more predetermined conditions in any suitablemanner.

Controller parameter(s) controller 1626 for one embodiment may generateand output one or more controlled transition control signals to controlone or more suitable controller parameters in any suitable manner tocontrol variable power supply 104 to change the supply power fromapproximately a current supply level directly to approximately anidentified target supply level if the identified target supply leveldoes not satisfy one or more of one or more predetermined conditions.Controller parameter(s) controller 1626 for one embodiment may generateand output one or more controlled transition control signals to controlone or more suitable controller parameters in any suitable manner tocontrol variable power supply 104 to control the transition of thesupply power in any suitable manner from approximately the currentsupply level toward an identified target supply level prior tocontrolling variable power supply 104 to supply power at approximatelythe identified target supply level if the identified target supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined conditions.

Supply level controller 1040 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.16, may comprise circuitry for a summer 1642, a filter 1644, a modulator1646, and an optional analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1648.

Summer 1642 is coupled to receive one or more target control signalsfrom transition-to-target controller 1020 and is coupled to receive oneor more signals representative of the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 104. Summer 1642 generates and outputsone or more signals representative of the difference between the currentsupply level and an identified target supply level represented by one ormore received target control signals. Summer 1642 and ADC 1648, ifpresent, for one embodiment may be similarly implemented as summer 1442and ADC 1448, respectively, of FIG. 14.

Filter 1644 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moredifference signals from summer 1642 and filters the received signal(s)to help stabilize the closed-loop control system formed by summer 1642,modulator 1646, variable power supply 104, and ADC 1648, if present.Filter 1644 for one embodiment may be similarly implemented as filter1444 of FIG. 14. Although described as being coupled between summer 1642and modulator 1646, filter 1644 for another embodiment may be coupled inany suitable location in the closed-loop control system.

Modulator 1646 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or morefiltered difference signals from filter 1644 and modulate such signal(s)to generate and output one or more modulated signals as one or moresupply level control signals to control the supply of power by variablepower supply 104. Modulator 1646 for one embodiment may be similarlyimplemented as modulator 1446 of FIG. 14.

Modulator 1646 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or morecontrolled transition control signals from transition-to-targetcontroller 1020 and may comprise any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry to allow transition-to-target controller 1020 to control oneor more controller parameters for modulator 1646 to help control howvariable power supply 104 changes the supply power from approximately acurrent supply level to approximately an identified target supply level.Transition-to-target controller 1020 for one embodiment may control anysuitable one or more controller parameters for modulator 1646 to helpchange in any suitable manner the duty cycle of the one or moremodulated signals generated and output from modulator 1646 in responseto the receipt of one or more target control signals by summer 1642 tohelp control how variable power supply 104 changes the supply power fromapproximately a current supply level to approximately an identifiedtarget supply level.

Circuitry for SLIC Having Supply Power Transition Control

SLIC 300 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 17, comprises adirect-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converter controller 1702having supply power transition control, a processor 1730, memory 1740,and linefeed interface circuitry 1750.

DC-DC converter controller 1702 is coupled to control a DC-DC converter1704 coupled to receive power from a power source 1701 and coupled tosupply power to linefeed interface circuitry 1750 under control of DC-DCconverter controller 1702. DC-DC converter controller 1702 and DC-DCconverter 1704 generally correspond to power supply controller 302 andvariable power supply 304, respectively.

Processor 1730 may be controlled or programmed to help perform anysuitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function. Processor1730 may comprise any suitable circuitry in accordance with any suitableprocessor architecture. Processor 1730 for one embodiment may comprisecircuitry in accordance with a suitable digital signal processor (DSP)architecture. Processor 1730 for one embodiment may comprise a pluralityof registers 1732 to help program, set, maintain, and/or track one ormore operating parameters for one or more functions performed byprocessor 1730.

Processor 1730 for one embodiment may be controlled or programmed toperform one or more functions for DC-DC converter controller 1702. Whereprocessor 1730 is to help control DC-DC converter 1704 in accordancewith flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2, flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4, flowdiagram 800 of FIG. 8, and/or flow diagram 900 of FIG. 9, processor 1730for one embodiment may use registers 1732 to store one or more suitablevalues to help identify, where applicable, one or more of the followingexample operating parameters: an initial supply level, a prior targetsupply level, a current target supply level, a sensed or sampled currentsupply level of power supplied by DC-DC converter 1704, a currentintermediate supply level, a current operation state, a target operationstate, one or more current-to-target supply level difference thresholds,one or more supply level ranges, a current supply level range, a targetsupply level range, one or more current-to-target transition times, oneor more supply level step amounts, one or more numbers of intermediatestep(s), one or more current supply level percentages to identify asupply level step amount, one or more step delay times, one or morefactors to help produce a transient signal resulting from a supply powertransition with a desired signal shape, one or more factors to helpoptimize the speed of a supply power transition, one or more factors tohelp optimize power consumption due to a supply power transition, and/orone or more factors to help account for noise.

Processor 1730 for one embodiment may have a processor interface 1734through which processor 1730 may be controlled or programmed to helpperform any suitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may also comprise optional memory 1740 tostore suitable instructions to be executed by processor 1730 to helpperform any suitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function.Memory 1740 for one embodiment may be used to store, for example, anysuitable instructions to perform one or more functions for DC-DCconverter controller 1702. Memory 1740 for one embodiment may be used tostore one or more suitable values to help identify one or more operatingparameters for one or more functions performed by processor 1730.

Memory 1740 may comprise any suitable one or more non-volatile and/orvolatile memories including, for example, flash memory, read only memory(ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM), a battery-backed random access memory (RAM), random accessmemory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), and/or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM).

Although described in the context of instructions stored in memory 1740to be executed by processor 1730, any suitable machine-readable medium,such as a hard disk device, a floppy disk or diskette device, an opticaldisk device such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)device for example, a Bernoulli disk device such as a Jaz or Zip diskdevice for example, a flash memory device, a file server device, and/orany other suitable memory device may be used. For one embodiment,suitable instructions stored in this manner may be transmitted to SLIC300 through processor interface 1734 for execution by processor 1730and/or for storage in memory 1740.

Linefeed interface circuitry 1750 for one embodiment may be coupled toreceive power supplied by DC-DC converter 1704 and coupled to first line321 and to second line 322 of subscriber loop 320 to provide a linefeedon subscriber loop 320. Processor 1730 for one embodiment may helpcontrol linefeed interface circuitry 1750 through a linefeed interface1736 coupled to linefeed interface circuitry 1750. Processor 1730 forone embodiment may also have a digital voiceband interface 1738 tocommunicate digitized voiceband data to switching network 310 whereswitching network 310 is a digital switching network and use linefeedinterface 1736 for bi-directional voiceband data transfer betweenprocessor 1730 and subscriber loop 320.

Processor 1730 for one embodiment may be implemented on an integratedcircuit. Any suitable portion or all of DC-DC converter controller 1702,memory 1740, and/or at least a portion of linefeed interface circuitry1750 for one embodiment may also be implemented on the same integratedcircuit as that having processor 1730.

SLIC 300 for one embodiment may be implemented by programming orcontrolling any suitable SLIC architecture, including a suitableexisting SLIC architecture, to help control DC-DC converter controller1702 to control the transition from approximately a current supply levelof power supplied by DC-DC converter 1704 to approximately a targetsupply level in any suitable manner. As one example, SLIC 300 may beimplemented by controlling a Si3210 ProSLIC™ Programmable CMOSSLIC/Codec with Ringing and Battery Voltage Generation, manufactured bySilicon Laboratories, Inc. of Austin, Tex., to control its DC-DCconverter controller and therefore help control a DC-DC convertercoupled to the DC-DC converter controller to supply power to the Si3210ProSLIC™ at approximately target supply levels with a controlledtransition between supply levels.

Power Supply Control Using Dynamic Controller Parameter(s)

FIG. 18 illustrates, for one embodiment, an electronic device 1800comprising a power supply controller 1802 having one or more dynamicpower supply controller parameters. Power supply controller 1802controls a variable power supply 1804 dynamically to supply power toelectronic device 1800 at different supply levels. Power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may control variable power supply1804 at a given time to supply power to electronic device 1800 at areduced or minimized supply level that may depend, for example, on theamount of power to be used by electronic device 1800 at that time.Electronic device 1800 may therefore be designed to less stringent powerdissipation requirements.

In controlling variable power supply 1804 to supply power to electronicdevice 1800 at different supply levels, power supply controller 1802 maycontrol variable power supply 1804 using one or more dynamic powersupply controller parameters. Power supply controller 1802 may use oneor more dynamic controller parameters for any suitable purpose. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use one or more dynamiccontroller parameters, for example, to help reduce noise, to help settlefaster, to help avoid instability, to help maximize bandwidth, to helpmaintain a constant bandwidth, and/or to help reduce ripple incontrolling variable power supply 1804 to supply power at a given supplylevel to electronic device 1800.

Power supply controller 1802 may control variable power supply 1804using one or more dynamic controller parameters to supply power toelectronic device 1800 in any suitable manner. Power supply controller1802 for one embodiment may control variable power supply 1804 inaccordance with a flow diagram 1900 of FIG. 19.

For block 1902 of FIG. 19, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value. Power supply controller 1802 maycontrol variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type of one ormore power supply controller parameters of any suitable initial value.

For one embodiment where power supply controller 1802 uses a closed-loopcontrol system to help control variable power supply 1804, power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may use any suitable one or morecontrol system loop filter compensator settings, such as loop filtertype, pole/zero positions, and/or loop gain for example.

For one embodiment where power supply controller 1802 uses a modulatorto help control variable power supply 1804, power supply controller 1802for one embodiment may use any suitable one or more modulator settings,such as frequency and modulation type for example. For digitalmodulators, power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may useresolution, for example.

For one embodiment where power supply controller 1802 uses ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample the level of power suppliedby variable power supply 1804 to help control variable power supply1804, power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use anysuitable one or more analog-to-digital converter settings, such assampling frequency, resolution, gain, and/or anti-aliasing for example.

For one embodiment where power supply controller 1802 uses adigital-to-analog converter (DAC) to help control variable power supply1804, power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use anysuitable one or more digital-to-analog converter settings, such as gain,sampling frequency, resolution, and/or conversion time for example.

For block 1904, power supply controller 1802 dynamically controls thevalue of one or more power supply controller parameters based on one ormore operating parameters for electronic device 1800 in controllingvariable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 may dynamicallycontrol the value of any suitable one or more power supply controllerparameters based on any suitable one or more operating parameters forelectronic device 1800 in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 1904 maydynamically control the value of all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 1902. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment for block 1904 may dynamically control the value ofone or more but less than all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 1902.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 1904 maydynamically control the value of any suitable one or more power supplycontroller parameters based at least in part on the current supply levelof power supplied by variable power supply 1804, on an operation statein which electronic device 1800 is to operate or is operating, and/or ona supply level range from which electronic device 1800 is to supplypower or is being supplied power.

Electronic device 1800 may comprise any suitable circuitry to performany suitable one or more functions that may use different supply powerlevels. Electronic device 1800 for one embodiment may comprisesubscriber line interface circuitry (SLIC), for example. Electronicdevice 1800 for one embodiment may comprise, for example, a ringer, suchas a bulk ringer or a Class D ringer for example. Electronic device 1800for one embodiment may comprise a satellite tuner, for example.

SLIC Power Supply Control Having Dynamic Controller Parameter(s)

FIG. 20 illustrates, for one embodiment, subscriber line interfacecircuitry (SLIC) 2000 in an example environment. As illustrated in FIG.20, SLIC 2000 comprises a power supply controller 2002 having one ormore dynamic controller parameters in controlling a variable powersupply 2004 to supply power to SLIC 2000. SLIC 2000, power supplycontroller 2002, and variable power supply 2004 generally correspond toelectronic device 1800, power supply controller 1802, and variable powersupply 1804 of FIG. 18.

SLIC 2000 for one embodiment may provide a communications interfacebetween a switching network 2010 and a subscriber loop 2020 havingsubscriber equipment 2030. Subscriber loop 2020 for one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 20, is defined by a first line 2021, a second line2022, and subscriber equipment 2030. SLIC 2000 for one embodiment maycomprise any suitable circuitry to perform any suitable one or moreBORSCHT functions and/or any other suitable one or more functions. Thedescription pertaining to SLIC 300, switching network 310, subscriberloop 320, first line 321, second line 322, and/or subscriber equipment330 of FIG. 3 may similarly apply to SLIC 2000, switching network 2010,subscriber loop 2020, first line 2021, second line 2022, and/orsubscriber equipment 2030 of FIG. 20.

Dynamic Controller Parameter(s) Based on Supply Level

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 to supply power to electronic device 1800 using one ormore dynamic power supply controller parameters based at least in parton the supply level of power to be supplied or being supplied byvariable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may control variable power supply 1804 in accordance with aflow diagram 2100 of FIG. 21.

For block 2102 of FIG. 21, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 maycontrol variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type of one ormore power supply controller parameters of any suitable initial valuefor any suitable initial supply level.

For block 2104, power supply controller 1802 receives one or moresignals representative of the current supply level of power supplied byvariable power supply 1804.

For block 2106, power supply controller 1802 dynamically controls thevalue of one or more power supply controller parameters based at leastin part on the current supply level received for block 2104 incontrolling variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 maydynamically control the value of any suitable one or more power supplycontroller parameters based at least in part on the current supply levelreceived for block 2104 in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2106 maydynamically control the value of all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2102. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment for block 2106 may dynamically control the value ofone or more but less than all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2102.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2106 maydynamically control the value of any suitable power supply controllerparameter to have the same or a different value for any two given powersupply levels. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block2106 may dynamically control the value of any suitable power supplycontroller parameter to have a different value for any two given powersupply levels.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2106 mayidentify a predetermined value for one or more controller parametersbased on the current supply level received for block 2104 and controlvariable power supply 1804 in accordance with such identified controllerparameter value(s). Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment forblock 2106 may identify a predetermined set of one or more controllerparameter values based on the current supply level received for block2104 and control variable power supply 1804 in accordance with theidentified set.

Power supply controller 1802 may continue to monitor the current supplylevel and dynamically control one or more controller parameters based onthe monitored current supply level by repeating operations for blocks2104 and 2106. Power supply controller 1802 may monitor the currentsupply level at any suitable time. Power supply controller 1802 maymonitor the current supply level, for example, continuously, atpredetermined intervals, sporadically, and/or in response to anysuitable one or more events.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2102-2106in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, receive anew current supply level for block 2104 as power supply controller 1802controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2106 using one or moredynamic controller parameter values based on a prior received supplylevel.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 in accordance with a flow diagram 2200 of FIG. 22.

For block 2202 of FIG. 22, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 maycontrol variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type of one ormore power supply controller parameters of any suitable initial valuefor any suitable initial supply level.

If electronic device 1800 for block 2204 is to continue using thecurrent supply level of power supplied by variable power supply 1804,power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 for block 2206 to continue controlling variable powersupply 1804 using approximately the current value of one or more powersupply controller parameters. For one embodiment where variable powersupply 1804 may continue supplying power at approximately the currentsupply level without requiring continuous or repeated control by powersupply controller 1802, power supply controller 1802 for one embodimentmay not perform operations for block 2206.

When electronic device 1800 is to be supplied a different supply levelof power by variable power supply 1804, power supply controller 1802identifies for block 2208 a target supply level of power to be suppliedby variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 may identifya target supply level of power to be supplied by variable power supply1804 in any suitable manner.

If one or more controller parameters for block 2210 are to change valuefor the target supply level identified for block 2208, power supplycontroller 1802 for block 2212 identifies whether the transition for oneor more controller parameters is to be controlled. Power supplycontroller 1802 may identify whether the transition for one or morecontroller parameters is to be controlled in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2212 mayidentify whether the target supply level satisfies one or more of one ormore predetermined conditions. Power supply controller 1802 may identifywhether the target supply level satisfies one or more of any suitableone or more predetermined conditions. One or more predeterminedconditions for one embodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target supply level and the current supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds. Power supply controller 1802 may identifywhether the difference between the target supply level and the currentsupply level satisfies one or more of any suitable one or morepredetermined relationships with any suitable one or more thresholds.One or more predetermined relationships for one embodiment may beprogrammable. One or more thresholds for one embodiment may beprogrammable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether theabsolute value of the difference between the target supply level and thecurrent supply level is greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable threshold. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify whether the difference between the target supplylevel and the current supply level is greater than, or alternativelygreater than or equal to, a suitable positive threshold and/or whetherthe difference between the target supply level and the current supplylevel is less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, a suitablenegative threshold. The positive and negative thresholds may have thesame or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether themagnitude of the target supply level is greater than that of the currentsupply level by an amount greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable threshold based at least in part on the differencebetween the target supply level and the current supply level.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use one or morepredetermined thresholds. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify one or more thresholds in any suitable manner.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify one or morethresholds based at least in part on, for example, a current operationstate of electronic device 1800 and/or the current supply level.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2212 mayidentify a target value for one or more controller parameters based atleast in part on the target supply level identified for block 2208 andidentify whether the identified target value satisfies one or more ofone or more predetermined conditions.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify a target value for one or morecontroller parameters based at least in part on the target supply levelin any suitable manner. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodimentmay identify for one or more controller parameters a predeterminedtarget value corresponding to the target supply level.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify whether the identified targetvalue satisfies one or more of any suitable one or more predeterminedconditions. One or more predetermined conditions for one embodiment maybe programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds. Power supply controller 1802may identify whether the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter satisfies one or more of anysuitable one or more predetermined relationships with any suitable oneor more thresholds. One or more predetermined relationships for oneembodiment may be programmable. One or more thresholds for oneembodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether theabsolute value of the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter is greater than, oralternatively greater than or equal to, a suitable threshold. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter is greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable positive threshold and/or whether the differencebetween the target value and the current value for a controllerparameter is less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, asuitable negative threshold. The positive and negative thresholds mayhave the same or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether themagnitude of the target value for a controller parameter is greater thanthat of its current value by an amount greater than, or alternativelygreater than or equal to, a suitable threshold based at least in part onthe difference between the target value and the current value.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use one or morepredetermined thresholds. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify one or more thresholds in any suitable manner.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify one or morethresholds for a controller parameter based at least in part on, forexample, the current value of the controller parameter.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is not to becontrolled as identified for block 2212, power supply controller 1802for block 2214 may change the current value of one or more power supplycontroller parameters directly to approximately a target value based atleast in part on the target supply level in controlling variable powersupply 1804 to transition to approximately the target supply level.Power supply controller 1802 may change the current value of anysuitable one or more power supply controller parameters in any suitablemanner directly to approximately any suitable target value based atleast in part on the target supply level in any suitable manner.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is to becontrolled as identified for block 2212, power supply controller 1802for block 2216 may control the transition from the current value of oneor more power supply controller parameters to approximately a targetvalue based at least in part on the target supply level in controllingvariable power supply 1804 to transition to approximately the targetsupply level. Power supply controller 1802 may control the transitionfrom the current value of any suitable one or more power supplycontroller parameters in any suitable manner to approximately anysuitable target value based at least in part on the target supply levelin any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2216 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value prior to changingthe power supply controller parameter to approximately the target value.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2216 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value in accordance withany suitable signal shape.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2216 maycontrol any suitable power supply controller parameter to help smooththe transition from approximately a current value for the power supplycontroller parameter to approximately a target value for the powersupply controller parameter as power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 to transition from the current supply levelto approximately the target supply level. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment may therefore help minimize or avoid any disruptionsto variable power supply 1804 and/or power supply controller 1802 aspower supply controller 1802 changes the power supply controllerparameter while controlling variable power supply 1804. Power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may help transition from a currentcontroller parameter value to a target controller parameter value, forexample, along a generally linear path as a function of time. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may help transition from acurrent controller parameter value to a target controller parametervalue, for example, along a generally linear path as a function of thecurrent supply level. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodimentmay use interpolation to identify one or more controller parametervalues between the current value and the target value.

Power supply controller 1802 may then repeat operations for blocks2204-2216 to continue controlling variable power supply 1804 using oneor more power supply controller parameters based at least in part on thenew current supply level or to control the value of one or more powersupply controller parameters in controlling variable power supply 1804to transition to a next target supply level.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2202-2216in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, identify atarget supply level for block 2208 as power supply controller 1802controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2206.

Power supply controller 1802 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 2212 and 2214 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 2216 for one or more controller parameters that are to changevalue as identified for block 2210.

Dynamic Controller Parameter(s) Based on Operation State

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 to supply power to electronic device 1800 using one ormore dynamic power supply controller parameters based at least in parton an operation state in which electronic device 1800 is to operate oris operating. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment maycontrol variable power supply 1804 in accordance with a flow diagram2300 of FIG. 23.

For block 2302 of FIG. 23, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial one of a plurality ofoperation states for electronic device 1800. Power supply controller1802 may control variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type ofone or more power supply controller parameters of any suitable initialvalue for any suitable initial one of a plurality of any suitableoperation states for electronic device 1800.

The operation states for electronic device 1800 may be defined in anysuitable manner. One or more operation states for electronic device 1800for one embodiment may be programmable.

For one embodiment where SLIC 2000 is used, SLIC 2000 may have anon-hook, a ringing, and/or an off-hook operation state. Power supplycontroller 2002 for one embodiment for block 2302 may control variablepower supply 2004 using one or more controller parameters for theon-hook operation state.

SLIC 2000 for another embodiment may have an open, a forward on-hooktransmission, a reverse on-hook transmission, a ringing, a forwardactive, a reverse active, a tip line open, and/or a ring line openoperation state. Power supply controller 2002 for one embodiment forblock 2302 may control variable power supply 2004 using one or morecontroller parameters for the open operation state.

For block 2304, power supply controller 1802 identifies a currentoperation state of electronic device 1800. Power supply controller 1802may identify the current operation state of electronic device 1800 inany suitable manner. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment maymonitor the current supply level of power supplied by variable powersupply 1804 in any suitable manner and identify the current operationstate based on the current supply level. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment may identify the current operation state ofelectronic device 1800 by monitoring one or more signals set byelectronic device 1800 to represent the current operation state ofelectronic device 1800.

For block 2306, power supply controller 1802 dynamically controls thevalue of one or more power supply controller parameters based at leastin part on the current operation state identified for block 2304 incontrolling variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 maydynamically control the value of any suitable one or more power supplycontroller parameters based at least in part on the current operationstate identified for block 2304 in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2306 maydynamically control the value of all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2302. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment for block 2306 may dynamically control the value ofone or more but less than all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2302.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2306 maydynamically control the value of any suitable power supply controllerparameter to have the same or a different value for any two givenoperation states of electronic device 1800. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment for block 2306 may dynamically control the value ofany suitable power supply controller parameter to have a different valuefor any two given operation states for electronic device 1800.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2306 mayidentify a predetermined value for one or more controller parametersbased on the current operation state identified for block 2304 andcontrol variable power supply 1804 in accordance with such identifiedcontroller parameter value(s). Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment for block 2306 may identify a predetermined set of one ormore controller parameter values based on the current operation stateidentified for block 2304 and control variable power supply 1804 inaccordance with the identified set.

Power supply controller 1802 may continue to monitor the currentoperation state and dynamically control one or more controllerparameters based on the monitored current operation state by repeatingoperations for blocks 2304 and 2306. Power supply controller 1802 maymonitor the current operation state at any suitable time. Power supplycontroller 1802 may monitor the current operation state, for example,continuously, at predetermined intervals, sporadically, and/or inresponse to any suitable one or more events.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2302-2306in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, identify anew current operation state for block 2304 as power supply controller1802 controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2306 using one ormore dynamic controller parameter values based on a prior identifiedoperation state.

FIG. 24 illustrates, for one embodiment where SLIC 2000 is used, examplegraphs 2410, 2420, 2430, and 2440 of how power supply controller 2002for one embodiment may dynamically control the value of controllerparameters in controlling variable power supply 2004 to supply differentsupply voltages to SLIC 2000.

As illustrated in graph 2410 of FIG. 24, power supply controller 2002for one embodiment may use at least the following example controllerparameter values:

-   -   switching frequency f_(sw)≈500 kiloHerz (kHz), and    -   pole/zero position τ≈1 millisecond (ms)        to control variable power supply 2004 to supply a supply voltage        V_(S) at approximately a supply voltage level V₁ while SLIC 2000        is in an on-hook operation state. Power supply controller 2002        for one embodiment may monitor the current operation state of        SLIC 2000 and continue to use approximately the same controller        parameter values while SLIC 2000 remains in the on-hook        operation state.

When SLIC 2000 changes to a ringing operation state, power supplycontroller 2002 for one embodiment may use at least the followingexample controller parameter values:

-   -   switching frequency f_(sw)≈250 kiloHerz (kHz), and    -   pole/zero position τ≈2 milliseconds (ms)        to control variable power supply 2004 to supply a supply voltage        V_(S) at approximately a supply voltage level V₂. Power supply        controller 2002 for one embodiment may monitor the current        operation state of SLIC 2000 and continue to use approximately        the same controller parameter values while SLIC 2000 remains in        the ringing operation state.

When SLIC 2000 changes to an off-hook operation state, power supplycontroller 2002 for one embodiment may use at least the followingexample controller parameter values:

-   -   switching frequency f_(sw)≈1 MegaHerz (MHz), and    -   pole/zero position τ≈300 microseconds (μs)        to control variable power supply 2004 to supply a supply voltage        V_(S) at approximately a supply voltage level V₃. Power supply        controller 2002 for one embodiment may monitor the current        operation state of SLIC 2000 and continue to use approximately        the same controller parameter values while SLIC 2000 remains in        the off-hook operation state.

Graphs 2420 and 2430 of FIG. 24 illustrate examples of how power supplycontroller 2002 for one embodiment may dynamically control the value ofthe switching frequency f_(sw) in accordance with flow diagram 2300 ofFIG. 23 as power supply controller 2002 controls variable power supply2004 to supply different supply voltages to SLIC 2000. As illustrated ingraph 2420, power supply controller 2002 for one embodiment may changethe value of the switching frequency f_(sw) when SLIC 2000 transitionsinto a new operation state as identified by the current supply level ofpower supplied by variable power supply 2004. As illustrated in graph2430, power supply controller 2002 for one embodiment may change thevalue of the switching frequency f_(sw) when SLIC 2000 transitions intoa new operation state as identified by the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 2004 reaching a target supply leveland/or by the operation of SLIC 2000 in the new operation state. Powersupply controller 2002 for another embodiment may change the value ofthe switching frequency f_(sw) when SLIC 2000 starts transitioning to anew operation state.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 in accordance with a flow diagram 2500 of FIG. 25.

For block 2502 of FIG. 25, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial one of a plurality ofoperation states for electronic device 1800. Power supply controller1802 may control variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type ofone or more power supply controller parameters of any suitable initialvalue for any suitable initial one of a plurality of any suitableoperation states for electronic device 1800.

The operation states for electronic device 1800 may be defined in anysuitable manner. One or more operation states for electronic device 1800for one embodiment may be programmable.

If electronic device 1800 for block 2504 is to continue operating in thecurrent operation state, power supply controller 1802 for one embodimentmay control variable power supply 1804 for block 2506 to continuecontrolling variable power supply 1804 using approximately the currentvalue of one or more power supply controller parameters. For oneembodiment where variable power supply 1804 may continue supplying powerat approximately the current supply level without requiring continuousor repeated control by power supply controller 1802, power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may not perform operations for block2506.

When electronic device 1800 is to operate in another operation state,power supply controller 1802 identifies for block 2508 a targetoperation state. Power supply controller 1802 may identify a targetoperation state in any suitable manner.

If one or more controller parameters for block 2510 are to change valuefor the target operation state identified for block 2508, power supplycontroller 1802 for block 2512 identifies whether the transition for oneor more controller parameters is to be controlled. Power supplycontroller 1802 may identify whether the transition for one or morecontroller parameters is to be controlled in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2512 mayidentify whether the target operation state is one of any predetermineddifferent operation states for the current operation state of electronicdevice 1800. Power supply controller 1802 may identify whether thetarget operation state is one of any suitable one or more predetermineddifferent operation states of electronic device 1800.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget operation state is one of any first predetermined differentoperation states for the current operation state or alternatively is notone of any second predetermined different operation states exclusive ofany first predetermined different operation states for the currentoperation state. The identity of any first and/or second predetermineddifferent operation states for a given operation state for oneembodiment may be predetermined. The identity of any first and/or secondpredetermined different operation states for a given operation state forone embodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2512 mayidentify a target value for one or more controller parameters based atleast in part on the target operation state identified for block 2508and identify whether the identified target value satisfies one or moreof one or more predetermined conditions.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify a target value for one or morecontroller parameters based at least in part on the target operationstate in any suitable manner. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify for one or more controller parameters apredetermined target value corresponding to the target operation state.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify whether the identified targetvalue satisfies one or more of any suitable one or more predeterminedconditions. One or more predetermined conditions for one embodiment maybe programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds. Power supply controller 1802may identify whether the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter satisfies one or more of anysuitable one or more predetermined relationships with any suitable oneor more thresholds. One or more predetermined relationships for oneembodiment may be programmable. One or more thresholds for oneembodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether theabsolute value of the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter is greater than, oralternatively greater than or equal to, a suitable threshold. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter is greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable positive threshold and/or whether the differencebetween the target value and the current value for a controllerparameter is less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, asuitable negative threshold. The positive and negative thresholds mayhave the same or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether themagnitude of the target value for a controller parameter is greater thanthat of its current value by an amount greater than, or alternativelygreater than or equal to, a suitable threshold based at least in part onthe difference between the target value and the current value.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use one or morepredetermined thresholds. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify one or more thresholds in any suitable manner.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify one or morethresholds for a controller parameter based at least in part on, forexample, the current value of the controller parameter.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is not to becontrolled as identified for block 2512, power supply controller 1802for block 2514 may change the current value of one or more power supplycontroller parameters directly to approximately a target value based atleast in part on the target operation state in controlling variablepower supply 1804 for the target operation state. Power supplycontroller 1802 may change the current value of any suitable one or morepower supply controller parameters in any suitable manner directly toapproximately any suitable target value based at least in part on thetarget operation state in any suitable manner.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is to becontrolled as identified for block 2512, power supply controller 1802for block 2516 may control the transition from the current value of oneor more power supply controller parameters to approximately a targetvalue based at least in part on the target operation state incontrolling variable power supply 1804 for the target operation state.Power supply controller 1802 may control the transition from the currentvalue of any suitable one or more power supply controller parameters inany suitable manner to approximately any suitable target value based atleast in part on the target operation state in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2516 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value prior to changingthe power supply controller parameter to approximately the target value.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2516 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value in accordance withany suitable signal shape.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2516 maycontrol any suitable power supply controller parameter to help smooththe transition from approximately a current value for the power supplycontroller parameter to approximately a target value for the powersupply controller parameter as electronic device 1800 changes from thecurrent operation state to the target operation state. Power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may therefore help minimize or avoidany disruptions to variable power supply 1804 and/or power supplycontroller 1802 as power supply controller 1802 changes the power supplycontroller parameter while controlling variable power supply 1804. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may help transition from acurrent controller parameter value to a target controller parametervalue, for example, along a generally linear path as a function of time.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may help transition froma current controller parameter value to a target controller parametervalue, for example, along a generally linear path as a function of thecurrent supply level. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodimentmay use interpolation to identify one or more controller parametervalues between the current value and the target value.

Power supply controller 1802 may then repeat operations for blocks2504-2516 to continue controlling variable power supply 1804 using oneor more power supply controller parameters based at least in part on thenew current operation state or to control the value of one or more powersupply controller parameters as electronic device 1800 transitions to anext target operation state.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2502-2516in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, identify atarget operation state for block 2508 as power supply controller 1802controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2506.

Power supply controller 1802 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 2512 and 2514 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 2516 for one or more controller parameters that are to changevalue as identified for block 2510.

Graphs 2430 and 2440 of FIG. 24 illustrate examples of how power supplycontroller 2002 of FIG. 20 for one embodiment may dynamically controlthe value of the switching frequency f_(sw) in accordance with flowdiagram 2500 of FIG. 25 as power supply controller 2002 controlsvariable power supply 2004 to supply different supply voltages to SLIC2000. As illustrated in graph 2430, power supply controller 2002 for oneembodiment may change the value of the switching frequency f_(sw)directly to approximately a target value based on a target operationstate in controlling variable power supply 2004 to transition toapproximately a target supply level for a target operation state.Although illustrated in graph 2430 as changing the value of theswitching frequency f_(sw) when the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 2004 reaches a target supply level,power supply controller 2002 may change the value of the switchingfrequency f_(sw) at any suitable time such as, for example, when thecurrent supply level begins changing or transitioning to a target supplylevel. As illustrated in graph 2440, power supply controller 2002 forone embodiment may control the transition of the switching frequencyf_(sw) from a current value to a target value to help smooth thetransition.

Dynamic Controller Parameter(s) Based on Supply Level Range

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 to supply power to electronic device 1800 using one ormore dynamic power supply controller parameters based at least in parton a supply level range from which electronic device 1800 is to supplypower or is being supplied power. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may control variable power supply 1804 in accordance with aflow diagram 2600 of FIG. 26.

For block 2602 of FIG. 26, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial one of a plurality ofsupply level ranges. Power supply controller 1802 may control variablepower supply 1804 using any suitable type of one or more power supplycontroller parameters of any suitable initial value for any suitableinitial one of a plurality of any suitable supply level ranges.

The supply level ranges may be defined in any suitable manner. For oneembodiment, one or more supply level ranges may be defined to overlap atleast one other supply level range. Overlapping supply level ranges maybe used, for example, to help provide hysteresis for supply leveltransitions between adjacent supply level ranges. For anotherembodiment, the supply level ranges may be defined so as to not overlapone another. One or more supply level ranges for one embodiment may beprogrammable.

For block 2604, power supply controller 1802 identifies a current supplylevel range. Power supply controller 1802 may identify the currentsupply level range in any suitable manner. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment may monitor the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 1804 in any suitable manner andidentify the current supply level range based on the current supplylevel. For one embodiment where one or more supply level ranges overlapat least one other supply level range and the current supply levelresides in two supply level ranges, power supply controller 1802 mayidentify the current supply level range as the supply level range inwhich the current supply level previously resided. In this manner, powersupply controller 1802 helps provide hysteresis for supply leveltransitions between adjacent supply level ranges.

For block 2606, power supply controller 1802 dynamically controls thevalue of one or more power supply controller parameters based at leastin part on the current supply level range identified for block 2604 incontrolling variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 maydynamically control the value of any suitable one or more power supplycontroller parameters based at least in part on the current supply levelrange identified for block 2604 in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2606 maydynamically control the value of all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2602. Power supply controller 1802for one embodiment for block 2606 may dynamically control the value ofone or more but less than all of the power supply controllerparameter(s) initialized for block 2602.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2606 maydynamically control the value of any suitable power supply controllerparameter to have the same or a different value for any two given supplylevel ranges. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block2606 may dynamically control the value of any suitable power supplycontroller parameter to have a different value for any two given supplylevel ranges.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2606 mayidentify a predetermined value for one or more controller parametersbased on the current supply level range identified for block 2604 andcontrol variable power supply 1804 in accordance with such identifiedcontroller parameter value(s). Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment for block 2606 may identify a predetermined set of one ormore controller parameter values based on the current supply level rangeidentified for block 2604 and control variable power supply 1804 inaccordance with the identified set.

Power supply controller 1802 may continue to monitor the current supplylevel range and dynamically control one or more controller parametersbased on the monitored current supply level range by repeatingoperations for blocks 2604 and 2606. Power supply controller 1802 maymonitor the current supply level range at any suitable time. Powersupply controller 1802 may monitor the current supply level range, forexample, continuously, at predetermined intervals, sporadically, and/orin response to any suitable one or more events.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2602-2606in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, identify anew current supply level range for block 2604 as power supply controller1802 controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2606 using one ormore dynamic controller parameter values based on a prior identifiedsupply level range.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may control variablepower supply 1804 in accordance with a flow diagram 2700 of FIG. 27.

For block 2702 of FIG. 27, power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 using one or more power supply controllerparameters having an initial value for an initial one of a plurality ofsupply level ranges for electronic device 1800. Power supply controller1802 may control variable power supply 1804 using any suitable type ofone or more power supply controller parameters of any suitable initialvalue for any suitable initial one of a plurality of any suitable supplylevel ranges for electronic device 1800.

The supply level ranges may be defined in any suitable manner. For oneembodiment, one or more supply level ranges may be defined to overlap atleast one other supply level range. Overlapping supply level ranges maybe used, for example, to help provide hysteresis for supply leveltransitions between adjacent supply level ranges. For anotherembodiment, the supply level ranges may be defined so as to not overlapone another. One or more supply level ranges for one embodiment may beprogrammable.

If electronic device 1800 for block 2704 is to continue using a supplylevel of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 in the currentsupply level range, power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment maycontrol variable power supply 1804 for block 2706 to continuecontrolling variable power supply 1804 using approximately the currentvalue of one or more power supply controller parameters. For oneembodiment where variable power supply 1804 may continue supplying powerat approximately the current supply level without requiring continuousor repeated control by power supply controller 1802, power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment may not perform operations for block2706.

When electronic device 1800 is to be supplied a supply level of power inanother supply level range, power supply controller 1802 identifies forblock 2708 a target supply level range. Power supply controller 1802 mayidentify a target supply level range in any suitable manner.

If one or more controller parameters for block 2710 are to change valuefor the target supply level range identified for block 2708, powersupply controller 1802 for block 2712 identifies whether the transitionfor one or more controller parameters is to be controlled. Power supplycontroller 1802 may identify whether the transition for one or morecontroller parameters is to be controlled in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2712 mayidentify whether the target supply level range is one of anypredetermined different supply level ranges for the current supply levelrange of electronic device 1800. Power supply controller 1802 mayidentify whether the target supply level range is one of any suitableone or more predetermined different supply level ranges of electronicdevice 1800.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thetarget supply level range is one of any first predetermined differentsupply level ranges for the current supply level range or alternativelyis not one of any second predetermined different supply level rangesexclusive of any first predetermined different supply level ranges forthe current supply level range. The identity of any first and/or secondpredetermined different supply level ranges for a given supply levelrange for one embodiment may be predetermined. The identity of any firstand/or second predetermined different supply level ranges for a givensupply level range for one embodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2712 mayidentify a target value for one or more controller parameters based atleast in part on the target supply level range identified for block 2708and identify whether the identified target value satisfies one or moreof one or more predetermined conditions.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify a target value for one or morecontroller parameters based at least in part on the target supply levelrange in any suitable manner. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify for one or more controller parameters apredetermined target value corresponding to the target supply levelrange.

Power supply controller 1802 may identify whether the identified targetvalue satisfies one or more of any suitable one or more predeterminedconditions. One or more predetermined conditions for one embodiment maybe programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter satisfies one or more of one or more predeterminedrelationships with one or more thresholds. Power supply controller 1802may identify whether the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter satisfies one or more of anysuitable one or more predetermined relationships with any suitable oneor more thresholds. One or more predetermined relationships for oneembodiment may be programmable. One or more thresholds for oneembodiment may be programmable.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether theabsolute value of the difference between the target value and thecurrent value for a controller parameter is greater than, oralternatively greater than or equal to, a suitable threshold. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether thedifference between the target value and the current value for acontroller parameter is greater than, or alternatively greater than orequal to, a suitable positive threshold and/or whether the differencebetween the target value and the current value for a controllerparameter is less than, or alternatively less than or equal to, asuitable negative threshold. The positive and negative thresholds mayhave the same or different absolute values.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify whether themagnitude of the target value for a controller parameter is greater thanthat of its current value by an amount greater than, or alternativelygreater than or equal to, a suitable threshold based at least in part onthe difference between the target value and the current value.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use one or morepredetermined thresholds. Power supply controller 1802 for oneembodiment may identify one or more thresholds in any suitable manner.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may identify one or morethresholds for a controller parameter based at least in part on, forexample, the current value of the controller parameter.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is not to becontrolled as identified for block 2712, power supply controller 1802for block 2714 may change the current value of one or more power supplycontroller parameters directly to approximately a target value based atleast in part on the target supply level range in controlling variablepower supply 1804 to transition to the target supply level range. Powersupply controller 1802 may change the current value of any suitable oneor more power supply controller parameters in any suitable mannerdirectly to approximately any suitable target value based at least inpart on the target supply level range in any suitable manner.

If the transition for one or more controller parameters is to becontrolled as identified for block 2712, power supply controller 1802for block 2716 may control the transition from the current value of oneor more power supply controller parameters to approximately a targetvalue based at least in part on the target supply level range incontrolling variable power supply 1804 to transition to the targetsupply level range. Power supply controller 1802 may control thetransition from the current value of any suitable one or more powersupply controller parameters in any suitable manner to approximately anysuitable target value based at least in part on the target supply levelrange in any suitable manner.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2716 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value prior to changingthe power supply controller parameter to approximately the target value.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2716 maycontrol the transition from the current value of any suitable powersupply controller parameter toward its target value in accordance withany suitable signal shape.

Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment for block 2716 maycontrol any suitable power supply controller parameter to help smooththe transition from approximately a current value for the power supplycontroller parameter to approximately a target value for the powersupply controller parameter as power supply controller 1802 controlsvariable power supply 1804 to transition from the current supply levelin the current supply level range to a target supply level in the targetsupply level range. Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment maytherefore help minimize or avoid any disruptions to variable powersupply 1804 and/or power supply controller 1802 as power supplycontroller 1802 changes the power supply controller parameter whilecontrolling variable power supply 1804. Power supply controller 1802 forone embodiment may help transition from a current controller parametervalue to a target controller parameter value, for example, along agenerally linear path as a function of time. Power supply controller1802 for one embodiment may help transition from a current controllerparameter value to a target controller parameter value, for example,along a generally linear path as a function of the current supply level.Power supply controller 1802 for one embodiment may use interpolation toidentify one or more controller parameter values between the currentvalue and the target value.

Power supply controller 1802 may then repeat operations for blocks2704-2716 to continue controlling variable power supply 1804 using oneor more power supply controller parameters based at least in part on thenew current supply level range or to control the value of one or morepower supply controller parameters in controlling variable power supply1804 to transition to a next target supply level range.

Power supply controller 1802 may perform operations for blocks 2702-2716in any suitable order and may or may not overlap in time the performanceof any suitable operation with any other suitable operation. Powersupply controller 1802 for one embodiment may, for example, identify atarget supply level range for block 2708 as power supply controller 1802controls variable power supply 1804 for block 2706.

Power supply controller 1802 for another embodiment may not performoperations for blocks 2712 and 2714 and may therefore perform operationsfor block 2716 for one or more controller parameters that are to changevalue as identified for block 2710.

Circuitry for Dynamically Controlling Controller Parameter(s)

Power supply controller 1802 may comprise any suitable circuitry tocontrol variable power supply 1804 using one or more dynamic controllerparameters in controlling variable power supply 1804 to supply power toelectronic device 1800 at different supply levels. Power supplycontroller 1802 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 28, maycomprise circuitry for a target supply level identifier 2810, acontroller parameter(s) controller 2820, and a supply level controller2840. For one embodiment, circuitry for any suitable portion or all ofelectronic device 1800, target supply level identifier 2810, controllerparameter(s) controller 2820, and any suitable portion or all of supplylevel controller 2840 may be on the same integrated circuit.

Target supply level identifier 2810 identifies a target supply level ofpower to be supplied to electronic device 1800 by variable power supply1804. Supply level controller 2840 is coupled to target supply levelidentifier 2810 and is coupled to control variable power supply 1804 tosupply power at approximately the identified target supply level toelectronic device 1800. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 iscoupled to control one or more controller parameter(s) for supply levelcontroller 2840 in controlling variable power supply 1804.

Target supply level identifier 2810 may identify a target supply levelin any suitable manner. Target supply level identifier 2810 for oneembodiment may identify a target supply level based at least in part ona current and/or target operation state of electronic device 1800.Target supply level identifier 2810 for one embodiment may generate anysuitable one or more signals representative of an identified targetsupply level and may be coupled to output such signal(s) as one or moretarget control signals to supply level controller 2840. Target supplylevel identifier 2810 may be implemented using any suitable analogand/or digital circuitry. Target supply level identifier 2810 for oneembodiment may generate and output a suitable analog signalrepresentative of an identified target supply level. Target supply levelidentifier 2810 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moresuitable digital signals representative of an identified target supplylevel. Target supply level identifier 2810 for one embodiment may beimplemented at least in part using a processor that executes anysuitable instructions to perform one or more functions for target supplylevel identifier 2810 in any suitable manner.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may becoupled to output one or more parameter control signals to set one ormore power supply controller parameters for supply level controller2840. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of a currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 and maygenerate one or more parameter control signals based on such signal(s).

Supply level controller 2840 for one embodiment may be coupled toreceive one or more target control signals, one or more parametercontrol signals, and one or more signals representative of a currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 and maygenerate one or more supply level control signals in accordance withsuch signals. Supply level controller 2840 for one embodiment may becoupled to output supply level control signals to control variable powersupply 1804 to supply power to electronic device 1800 at supply levelsin accordance with the supply level control signals.

Supply level controller 2840 may comprise any suitable circuitry thatmay depend, for example, on the type of variable power supply 1804 usedto supply power to electronic device 1800.

Where variable power supply 1804 is a switched-mode power supply, forexample, supply level controller 2840 for one embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 29, may comprise circuitry for a summer 2942, a filter 2944, amodulator 2946, and an optional analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 2948.

Summer 2942 is coupled to receive one or more target control signalsfrom target supply level identifier 2810 and is coupled to receive oneor more signals representative of the current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 1804. Summer 2942 generates andoutputs one or more signals representative of the difference between thecurrent supply level and a supply level represented by one or morereceived target control signals.

Summer 2942 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry to generate and output any suitable one or more signalsrepresentative of a difference between received supply levels.

Summer 2942 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moresuitable digital difference signals. Summer 2942 for one embodiment mayreceive one or more digital control signals from target supply levelidentifier 2810 and one or more digital signals representative of thecurrent supply level of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 togenerate and output one or more digital difference signals. Summer 2942for one embodiment may be implemented at least in part using a processorthat executes any suitable instructions to perform one or more functionsfor summer 2942 in any suitable manner.

ADC 2948 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or more analogsignals representative of the current supply level of power supplied byvariable power supply 1804 and convert the analog signal(s) into one ormore digital signals for output to summer 2942. ADC 2948 for oneembodiment may be coupled to receive one or more parameter controlsignals from controller parameter(s) controller 2820 to allow controllerparameter(s) controller 2820 to control one or more controllerparameters for ADC 2948. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 may becoupled to control any suitable one or more analog-to-digital convertersettings, such as sampling frequency, resolution, gain, and/oranti-aliasing for example. ADC 2948 may be implemented using anysuitable analog and/or digital circuitry.

Summer 2942 for one embodiment may generate and output a suitable analogdifference signal. Summer 2942 for one embodiment may receive one ormore analog target control signals from target supply level identifier2810 and one or more analog signals representative of the current supplylevel of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 to generate andoutput one or more analog difference signals. Supply level controller2840 for one embodiment may therefore not comprise ADC 2948.

Filter 2944 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moredifference signals from summer 2942 and filters the received signal(s)to help stabilize the closed-loop control system formed by summer 2942,modulator 2946, variable power supply 1804, and ADC 2948, if present.

Filter 2944 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moreparameter control signals from controller parameter(s) controller 2820to allow controller parameter(s) controller 2820 to control one or morecontroller parameters for filter 2944. Controller parameter(s)controller 2820 may be coupled to control any suitable one or morecontrol system loop filter compensator settings, such as loop filtertype, pole/zero positions, and/or loop gain for example.

Filter 2944 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry. Filter 2944 for one embodiment may be implemented at least inpart using a processor that executes any suitable instructions toperform one or more functions for filter 2944 in any suitable manner.Although described as being coupled between summer 2942 and modulator2946, filter 2944 for another embodiment may be coupled in any suitablelocation in the closed-loop control system.

Modulator 2946 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or morefiltered difference signals from filter 2944 and modulate such signal(s)to generate and output one or more modulated signals as one or moresupply level control signals to control variable power supply 1804 tosupply power at approximately a supply level represented by one or moretarget control signals received by summer 2942 from target supply levelidentifier 2810. Modulator 2946 may modulate received signal(s) in anysuitable manner. Modulator 2946 may perform, for example, pulse widthmodulation (PWM), frequency modulation (FM), pulse-frequency modulation(PFM), pulse code modulation (PCM), or sigma-delta modulation (ΣΔM).

Modulator 2946 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moreparameter control signals from controller parameter(s) controller 2820to allow controller parameter(s) controller 2820 to control one or morecontroller parameters for modulator 2946. Controller parameter(s)controller 2820 may be coupled to control any suitable one or moremodulator settings, such as frequency, modulation type, and/orresolution for example.

Modulator 2946 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/ordigital circuitry. Modulator 2946 for one embodiment may be implementedat least in part using a processor that executes any suitableinstructions to perform one or more functions for modulator 2946 in anysuitable manner.

Where variable power supply 1804 is a linear power supply, for example,supply level controller 2840 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.30, may comprise circuitry for summer 2942, filter 2944, an optionaldigital-to-analog converter (DAC) 3046, and optional analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 2948.

DAC 3046 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moredigital filtered difference signals from filter 2944 and convert thedigital signal(s) into one or more analog signals for output as one ormore supply level control signals to control variable power supply 1804to supply power at approximately a supply level in accordance with oneor more target control signals received by summer 2942 from targetsupply level identifier 2810. DAC 3046 for one embodiment may be coupledto receive one or more parameter control signals from controllerparameter(s) controller 2820 to allow controller parameter(s) controller2820 to control one or more controller parameters for DAC 3046.Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 may be coupled to control anysuitable one or more digital-to-analog converter settings, such as gain,sampling frequency, resolution, and/or conversion time for example. DAC3046 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/or digitalcircuitry.

Supply level controller 2840 for one embodiment may not comprise ADC2948 and DAC 3046. Filter 2944 may therefore output one or more analogfiltered difference signals as one or more supply level control signalsto control variable power supply 1804 to supply power at approximately asupply level in accordance with one or more target control signalsreceived by summer 2942 from target supply level identifier 2810.

Although described as being coupled between summer 2942 and variablepower supply 1804, filter 2944 for another embodiment may be coupled inany suitable location in the closed-loop control system defined bysummer 2942, DAC 3046, if present, variable power supply 1804, and ADC2948, if present.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 is coupled to control one ormore power supply controller parameters for supply level controller 2840based on one or more operating parameters for electronic device 1800.Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 may be implemented using anysuitable analog and/or digital circuitry to control any suitable one ormore controller parameters for supply level controller 2840 in anysuitable manner based on any suitable one or more operating parametersfor electronic device 1800. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 forone embodiment may be implemented at least in part using a processorthat executes any suitable instructions to perform one or more functionsfor controller parameter(s) controller 2820 in any suitable manner.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may becoupled to output one or more parameter control signals to set one ormore power supply controller parameters for supply level controller2840. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment maygenerate and output any suitable one or more parameter control signalsto set any suitable one or more controller parameters for supply levelcontroller 2840 in any suitable manner.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may generateand output one or more analog and/or digital parameter control signalsto help set the resistance of one or more suitable variable resistancecircuits, potentiometers, and/or resistor networks, for example, insupply level controller 2840 to help set one or more power supplycontroller parameters. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for oneembodiment may generate and output one or more analog and/or digitalparameter control signals to help set the capacitance of one or moresuitable variable capacitance circuits, capacitor networks, varactors,and/or voltage controlled capacitors, for example, in supply levelcontroller 2840 to help set one or more power supply controllerparameters. Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodimentmay generate and output one or more analog and/or digital parametercontrol signals to help set the inductance of one or more suitablevariable inductance circuits and/or inductor networks, for example, insupply level controller 2840 to help set one or more power supplycontroller parameters.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may generateand output one or more analog and/or digital parameter control signalsrepresentative of one or more power supply controller parameters to helpset one or more power supply controller parameters for supply levelcontroller 2840.

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of a currentsupply level of power supplied by variable power supply 1804 and maygenerate one or more parameter control signals based on such signal(s).

Controller parameter(s) controller 2820 for one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 31, may comprise circuitry for a controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122, a transition condition controller 3124,and a controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 identifies one or morecontroller parameter(s) for supply level controller 2840 based on one ormore operating parameters for electronic device 1800. Controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122 may be implemented using any suitableanalog and/or digital circuitry to identify any suitable one or morecontroller parameters based on any suitable one or more operatingparameters for electronic device 1800 in any suitable manner. Controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may be implemented atleast in part using a processor that executes any suitable instructionsto perform one or more functions for controller parameter(s) identifier3122 in any suitable manner.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of the currentsupply level and may identify a value for one or more power supplycontroller parameters based on such current supply level signal(s).Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more digital signals representative of thecurrent supply level from ADC 2948 of supply level controller 2840.Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for another embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more analog signals representative of thecurrent supply level from variable power supply 1804.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya current supply level based on the received current supply levelsignal(s) and identify a value for one or more power supply controllerparameters based on the identified current supply level.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya current operation state of electronic device 1800 based on thereceived current supply level signal(s) and identify a value for one ormore power supply controller parameters based on the identified currentoperation state. Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for anotherembodiment may identify a current operation state of electronic device1800 by monitoring or receiving one or more signals set by electronicdevice 1800 to represent the current operation state of electronicdevice 1800.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya current supply level range based on the received current supply levelsignal(s) and identify a value for one or more power supply controllerparameters based on the identified current supply level range.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more signals representative of a target supplylevel and may identify one or more values for one or more power supplycontroller parameters based on such target supply level signal(s).Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may becoupled to receive one or more digital signals representative of thetarget supply level from target supply level identifier 2810. Controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122 for another embodiment may be coupled toreceive one or more analog signals representative of the target supplylevel from target supply level identifier 2810.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya target supply level based on the received target supply levelsignal(s) and identify one or more values for one or more power supplycontroller parameters based on the identified target supply level.Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya target value for one or more power supply controller parameters basedon the identified target supply level.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya target operation state of electronic device 1800 based on the receivedtarget supply level signal(s) and identify one or more values for one ormore power supply controller parameters based on the identified targetoperation state. Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for anotherembodiment may identify a target operation state of electronic device1800 by monitoring or receiving one or more signals set by electronicdevice 1800 to represent the target operation state of electronic device1800. Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment mayidentify a target value for one or more power supply controllerparameters based on the identified target operation state.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya target supply level range based on the received target supply levelsignal(s) and identify one or more values for one or more power supplycontroller parameters based on the identified target supply level range.Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifya target value for one or more power supply controller parameters basedon the identified target supply level range.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may identifyone or more predetermined power supply controller parameters based onany suitable one or more operating parameters for electronic device1800. Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may usea mapping table to map values for an operating parameter or for acombination of operating parameters to values for one or more powersupply controller parameters.

Controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may generateand output any suitable one or more signals representative of one ormore identified power supply controller parameter values. Controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may generate and outputone or more suitable analog signals representative of one or moreidentified power supply controller parameter values. Controllerparameter(s) identifier 3122 for one embodiment may generate and outputone or more suitable digital signals representative of one or moreidentified power supply controller parameter values.

Transition condition controller 3124 identifies whether a transitionfrom a current value to a target value for one or more power supplycontroller parameters is to be controlled. Transition conditioncontroller 3124 may be implemented using any suitable analog and/ordigital circuitry to identify in any suitable manner whether thetransition from a current value to a target value for one or more powersupply controller parameters is to be controlled. Transition conditioncontroller 3124 for one embodiment may be implemented at least in partusing a processor that executes any suitable instructions to perform oneor more functions for transition condition controller 3124 in anysuitable manner.

Transition condition controller 3124 for one embodiment may identifywhether a transition from a current value to a target value for one ormore power supply controller parameters is to be controlled inaccordance with block 2212 of FIG. 22, block 2512 of FIG. 25, or block2712 of FIG. 27.

Transition condition controller 3124 for one embodiment may be coupledto receive one or more signals representative of an identified targetsupply level from target supply level identifier 2810 to help identifywhether the transition from a current value to a target value for one ormore power supply controller parameters is to be controlled. Transitioncondition controller 3124 for one embodiment may be coupled to receiveone or more signals representative of a current supply level of powersupplied by variable power supply 1804 to help identify whether thetransition from a current value to a target value for one or more powersupply controller parameters is to be controlled. Transition conditioncontroller 3124 for one embodiment may be coupled to receive one or moresignals representative of one or more identified power supply controllerparameter values from controller parameter(s) identifier 3122 to helpidentify whether the transition from a current value to a target valuefor one or more power supply controller parameters is to be controlled.

Transition condition controller 3124 for one embodiment may generate andoutput any suitable one or more control signals representative ofwhether a transition from a current value to a target value for one ormore power supply controller parameters is to be controlled. Transitioncondition controller 3124 for one embodiment may generate and output asuitable analog control signal representative of whether a transitionfrom a current value to a target value for one or more power supplycontroller parameters is to be controlled. Transition conditioncontroller 3124 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moresuitable digital control signals representative of whether a transitionfrom a current value to a target value for one or more power supplycontroller parameters is to be controlled.

Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 is coupled toreceive one or more signals representative of one or more identifiedpower supply controller parameter values and to control one or morepower supply controller parameters for supply level controller 2840based on such identified power supply controller parameter valuesignal(s). Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 may beimplemented using any suitable analog and/or digital circuitry tocontrol any suitable one or more controller parameters for supply levelcontroller 2840 in any suitable manner based on one or more identifiedpower supply controller parameter value signals. Controller parameter(s)control signal generator 3126 for one embodiment may be implemented atleast in part using a processor that executes any suitable instructionsto perform one or more functions for controller parameter(s) controlsignal generator 3126 in any suitable manner.

Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 for one embodimentmay generate one or more parameter control signals based on one or moresignals representative of one or more identified power supply controllerparameter values. Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126for one embodiment may be coupled to generate and output any suitableone or more parameter control signals to set any suitable one or morecontroller parameters for supply level controller 2840 in any suitablemanner.

Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 for one embodimentmay generate and output one or more analog and/or digital parametercontrol signals to help set the resistance of one or more suitablevariable resistance circuits, potentiometers, and/or resistor networks,for example, in supply level controller 2840 to help set one or morepower supply controller parameters. Controller parameter(s) controlsignal generator 3126 for one embodiment may generate and output one ormore analog and/or digital parameter control signals to help set thecapacitance of one or more suitable variable capacitance circuits,capacitor networks, varactors, and/or voltage controlled capacitors, forexample, in supply level controller 2840 to help set one or more powersupply controller parameters. Controller parameter(s) control signalgenerator 3126 for one embodiment may generate and output one or moreanalog and/or digital parameter control signals to help set theinductance of one or more suitable variable inductance circuits and/orinductor networks, for example, in supply level controller 2840 to helpset one or more power supply controller parameters.

Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 for one embodimentmay generate and output one or more analog and/or digital parametercontrol signals representative of one or more power supply controllerparameters to help set one or more power supply controller parametersfor supply level controller 2840.

Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 for one embodimentmay receive one or more signals representative of a target value for apower supply controller parameter and one or more signals identifyingwhether the transition of the power supply controller parameter to thetarget value is to be controlled. If the transition is to be controlled,controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 may then generateand output any suitable one or more parameter control signals to helpcontrol the transition of the power supply controller parameter inaccordance with any suitable signal shape. Controller parameter(s)control signal generator 3126 for one embodiment may identify one ormore values between the current and target values for a power supplycontroller parameter to help control the transition of the power supplycontroller parameter to approximate any suitable signal shape, such as agenerally linear ramp signal of any suitable slope, a generallyparabolic shaped signal, or a generally S-shaped signal for example.Controller parameter(s) control signal generator 3126 for one embodimentmay use interpolation, for example, to identify one or more valuesbetween the current and target values for a power supply controllerparameter.

Circuitry for SLIC Having Dynamic Controller Parameter(s)

SLIC 2000 for one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 32, comprises adirect-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converter controller 3202having one or more dynamic controller parameters, a processor 3230,memory 3240, and linefeed interface circuitry 3250.

DC-DC converter controller 3202 is coupled to control a DC-DC converter3204 coupled to receive power from a power source 3201 and coupled tosupply power to linefeed interface circuitry 3250 under control of DC-DCconverter controller 3202. DC-DC converter controller 3202 and DC-DCconverter 3204 generally correspond to power supply controller 2002 andvariable power supply 2004, respectively.

Processor 3230 may be controlled or programmed to help perform anysuitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function. Processor3230 may comprise any suitable circuitry in accordance with any suitableprocessor architecture. Processor 3230 for one embodiment may comprisecircuitry in accordance with a suitable digital signal processor (DSP)architecture. Processor 3230 for one embodiment may comprise a pluralityof registers 3232 to help program, set, maintain, and/or track one ormore operating parameters for one or more functions performed byprocessor 3230.

Processor 3230 for one embodiment may be controlled or programmed toperform one or more functions for DC-DC converter controller 3202. Whereprocessor 3230 is to help control DC-DC converter 3204 in accordancewith flow diagram 1900 of FIG. 19, flow diagram 2100 of FIG. 21, flowdiagram 2200 of FIG. 22, flow diagram 2300 of FIG. 23, flow diagram 2500of FIG. 25, flow diagram 2600 of FIG. 26, and/or flow diagram 2700 ofFIG. 27, processor 3230 for one embodiment may use registers 3232 tostore one or more suitable values to help identify, where applicable,one or more of the following example operating parameters: an initialsupply level, a target supply level, a sensed or sampled current supplylevel of power supplied by DC-DC converter 3204, a current operationstate, a target operation state, one or more supply level ranges, aprior supply level range, a current supply level range, and/or a targetsupply level range. Processor 3230 for one embodiment may use registers3232 to store one or more suitable values to help identify, whereapplicable, one or more of the following: one or more initial powersupply controller parameter values, one or more current power supplycontroller parameter values, and/or one or more target power supplycontroller parameter values.

Processor 3230 for one embodiment may have a processor interface 3234through which processor 3230 may be controlled or programmed to helpperform any suitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function.

SLIC 2000 for one embodiment may also comprise optional memory 3240 tostore suitable instructions to be executed by processor 3230 to helpperform any suitable function, including any suitable BORSCHT function.Memory 3240 for one embodiment may be used to store, for example, anysuitable instructions to perform one or more functions for DC-DCconverter controller 3202. Memory 3240 for one embodiment may be used tostore one or more suitable values to help identify one or more operatingparameters for one or more functions performed by processor 3230 and/orto help identify one or more power supply controller parameters.

Memory 3240 may comprise any suitable one or more non-volatile and/orvolatile memories including, for example, flash memory, read only memory(ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM), a battery-backed random access memory (RAM), random accessmemory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), and/or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM).

Although described in the context of instructions stored in memory 3240to be executed by processor 3230, any suitable machine-readable medium,such as a hard disk device, a floppy disk or diskette device, an opticaldisk device such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)device for example, a Bernoulli disk device such as a Jaz or Zip diskdevice for example, a flash memory device, a file server device, and/orany other suitable memory device may be used. For one embodiment,suitable instructions stored in this manner may be transmitted to SLIC2000 through processor interface 3234 for execution by processor 3230and/or for storage in memory 3240.

Linefeed interface circuitry 3250 for one embodiment may be coupled toreceive power supplied by DC-DC converter 3204 and coupled to first line2021 and to second line 2022 of subscriber loop 2020 to provide alinefeed on subscriber loop 2020. Processor 3230 for one embodiment mayhelp control linefeed interface circuitry 3250 through a linefeedinterface 3236 coupled to linefeed interface circuitry 3250. Processor3230 for one embodiment may also have a digital voiceband interface 3238to communicate digitized voiceband data to switching network 2010 whereswitching network 2010 is a digital switching network and use linefeedinterface 3236 for bi-directional voiceband data transfer betweenprocessor 3230 and subscriber loop 2020.

Processor 3230 for one embodiment may be implemented on an integratedcircuit. Any suitable portion or all of DC-DC converter controller 3202,memory 3240, and/or at least a portion of linefeed interface circuitry3250 for one embodiment may also be implemented on the same integratedcircuit as that having processor 3230.

Power Supply Control Using Supply Power Transition Control and DynamicController Parameter(s)

FIG. 33 illustrates, for one embodiment, an electronic device 3300comprising a power supply controller 3302 having supply power transitioncontrol and one or more dynamic controller parameters to control avariable power supply 3304 dynamically to supply power to electronicdevice 3300 at different supply levels. Power supply controller 3302 forone embodiment may control variable power supply 3304 to control thetransition from approximately a current supply level to approximately atarget supply level in accordance with flow diagram 200 of FIG. 2, flowdiagram 400 of FIG. 4, flow diagram 800 of FIG. 8, and/or flow diagram900 of FIG. 9. Power supply controller 3302 for one embodiment maycontrol variable power supply 3304 using one or more dynamic powersupply controller parameters in accordance with flow diagram 1900 ofFIG. 19, flow diagram 2100 of FIG. 21, flow diagram 2200 of FIG. 22,flow diagram 2300 of FIG. 23, flow diagram 2500 of FIG. 25, flow diagram2600 of FIG. 26, and/or flow diagram 2700 of FIG. 27.

Power supply controller 3302 may comprise any suitable circuitry tocontrol variable power supply 3304 to control the transition fromapproximately a current supply level to approximately a target supplylevel and to control variable power supply 3304 using dynamic controllerparameters. Power supply controller 3302 for one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 34, may comprise transition-to-target controller3410, controller parameter(s) controller 3420, and supply levelcontroller 3440. Transition-to-target controller 3410 and controllerparameter(s) controller 3420 generally correspond totransition-to-target controller 1020 of FIG. 10 and controllerparameter(s) controller 2820 of FIG. 28, respectively. Supply levelcontroller 3440 generally corresponds to supply level controller 1040 ofFIG. 10 and to supply level controller 2840 of FIG. 28.

In the foregoing description, one or more embodiments of the presentinvention have been described. It will, however, be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from thebroader spirit or scope of the present invention as defined in theappended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method comprising: controlling a variable power supply to supplypower at approximately a first supply level for an electronic device;identifying a second supply level to be supplied for the electronicdevice; and in response to identifying the second supply level,controlling the variable power supply to control a transition of thepower from approximately the first supply level toward the second supplylevel prior to controlling the variable power supply to supply power atapproximately the second supply level for the electronic device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, comprising identifying that the second supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined conditions.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, comprising identifying that the power for theelectronic device is to change to the second supply level in response toa change between different operation states of the electronic device. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic device comprisessubscriber line interface circuitry and has at least an off-hookoperation state, an on-hook operation state, and a ringing operationstate.
 5. The method of claim 2, comprising identifying that thedifference between the second supply level and the first supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds.
 6. The method of claim 2, comprising identifyingthat the second supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more supply level ranges.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the controlling the variable power supply tocontrol a transition of the power from approximately the first supplylevel toward the second supply level comprises generating an analog rampsignal to control the variable power supply.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the controlling the variable power supply to control atransition of the power from approximately the first supply level towardthe second supply level comprises controlling the variable power supplyto change the power to approximately one or more intermediate supplylevels prior to controlling the variable power supply to change thepower to approximately the second supply level.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the variable power supply comprises a direct-current todirect-current (DC-DC) converter and wherein the controlling thevariable power supply comprises generating one or more control signalsto control the DC-DC converter.
 10. An electronic device comprising: asupply level controller coupled to control a variable power supply tosupply power at a supply level for the electronic device; and atransition-to-target controller coupled to control the supply levelcontroller to control the variable power supply to supply power atapproximately a first supply level for the electronic device and tocontrol the variable power supply to control a transition of the powerfrom approximately the first supply level toward a second supply levelprior to controlling the variable power supply to supply power atapproximately the second supply level for the electronic device.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the transition-to-targetcontroller comprises circuitry to identify that the second supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined conditions.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the transition-to-targetcontroller comprises circuitry to identify that the power for theelectronic device is to change to the second supply level in response toa change between different operation states of the electronic device.13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the electronic devicecomprises subscriber line interface circuitry and has at least anoff-hook operation state, an on-hook operation state, and a ringingoperation state.
 14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein thetransition-to-target controller comprises circuitry to identify that thedifference between the second supply level and the first supply levelsatisfies one or more of one or more predetermined relationships withone or more thresholds.
 15. The electronic device of claim 11, whereinthe transition-to-target controller comprises circuitry to identify thatthe second supply level satisfies one or more of one or morepredetermined relationships with one or more supply level ranges. 16.The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the transition-to-targetcontroller comprises circuitry to generate and output one or morecontrol signals representative of one or more supply levels to controlthe supply level controller to control the transition of power.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the transition-to-targetcontroller comprises circuitry to generate an analog ramp signal tocontrol the supply level controller to control the transition of power.18. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the transition-to-targetcontroller comprises circuitry to generate one or more sets of one ormore digital signals representative of an intermediate supply levelbetween the first and second supply levels to control the supply levelcontroller to control the transition of power.
 19. The electronic deviceof claim 10, wherein the transition-to-target controller comprisescircuitry to generate and output one or more target control signalsrepresentative of the second supply level to the supply level controllerand to generate and output one or more control signals to control one ormore controller parameters for the supply level controller to controlthe transition of power.
 20. The electronic device of claim 10, whereinthe variable power supply comprises a direct-current to direct-current(DC-DC) converter and wherein the supply level controller is to generatea control signal to control the DC-DC converter.
 21. The electronicdevice of claim 10, in combination with the variable power supply. 22.An apparatus comprising: means for controlling a variable power supplyto supply power at approximately a first supply level for an electronicdevice; and means for controlling the variable power supply to control atransition of the power from approximately the first supply level towarda second supply level prior to controlling the variable power supply tosupply power at approximately the second supply level for the electronicdevice.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising means for performingone or more BORSCHT functions.